The government would not allow anyone to “wander near the Red Zone” in Islamabad, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday as supporters of PTI marched towards D-Chowk in the federal capital.

At a press conference in Islamabad, he alleged that the PTI had previously delayed the visit of the Chinese president.

“We want foreign visitors to leave with a positive impression of Pakistan,” Tarar said.

D-Chowk is the entrance of the Red Zone.

Islamabad’s iconic public square location is close to several important government buildings like the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Parliament, the Supreme Court, and foreign embassies. Over the years, the spot has made it an ideal venue for political leaders and civil society to raise their voices.

Tarar added that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit would proceed smoothly while criticising the PTI for having “devastated the national economy” over the past four years.

The information minister claimed that no one in Punjab mentions former chief minister Usman Buzdar anymore, saying that “visible work is what counts.”

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He claimed that while Punjab has been neglected, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing similar issues, accusing the incumbent chief minister of misusing government machinery, including official vehicles and tear gas.

He added that while inflation was “decreasing” across the country, it remains a concern in KP.

Furthermore, Tarar questioned the KP government spokesperson’s invitation to Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and asked why other countries were not invited and demanded a clarification on the purpose of the PTI’s protests.