Pakistan’s capital market has suffered a loss of around Rs 350 billion due to anti- government protests which have entered the fifth day today.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the protests have hit the national economy which has shown signs of recovery after hectic efforts by the PML-N government.
He told Geo TV last night that the civil disobedience call by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan was unconstitutional.
Despite calls by the government and opposition parties, thousands of supporters of Khan and Canada-based cleric Tahir-ul Qadri are camping in the national capital, demanding resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The government has announced to form two multi-party panel to hold talks with the protest leaders.
So far the protests have been peaceful but there are fears that violence may breakout if protesters tried to invade the high security ‘Red Zone’, where the Parliament, the President and the Prime Minister’s residences and embassies are located.