Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has criticised a proposed march on Islamabad, saying it could push Pakistan back into chaos despite improvements in economic conditions and the government’s recent efforts to manage the oil crisis.

Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting on Sunday, Shehbaz said people’s incomes had increased, fiscal discipline had improved and the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves had reached a record high.

He also said more than 10 million people had benefited from the government’s fuel subsidy programme introduced to provide relief amid the oil crisis.

The prime minister questioned why political opponents wanted to launch a long march when, according to him, the country was making progress on economic and diplomatic fronts. He described the proposed move on Islamabad as an “unholy plan” and accused its organisers of trying to push Pakistan towards renewed instability.

Shehbaz also questioned the political leadership behind the planned protest, saying it had been given opportunities to govern and had ruled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for 13 years.

He asked whether bringing Pakistan back into a period of unrest was the return the country deserved after providing those political opportunities. He described such an action as one of the most serious acts against the country’s interests.

The prime minister’s remarks came as the government highlighted its economic measures, record foreign exchange reserves and fuel subsidy programme while warning against political unrest.