PTI pushes ahead with D-Chowk protest, defies SCO summit

English , Latest - تازہ ترین , Pakistan - پاکستان , Snippets , / Monday, October 14th, 2024

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is gearing up for a large-scale protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on October 15, demanding the release of their detained founder, Imran Khan. Party leaders have directed workers nationwide to join the demonstration, with plans for it to continue until their demands are met.

Former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid is overseeing the protest, while Hammad Azhar is mobilizing supporters from Punjab. Despite requests, PTI has not been allowed to meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, intensifying their protest plans.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur held meetings to ensure maximum participation from the province. PTI leaders are prepared for an extended sit-in, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad, raising stakes for the government.

Meanwhile, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) have urged PTI to postpone the protest, citing the importance of the SCO summit. Both leaders emphasized dialogue over confrontation and called for Imran Khan’s legal team to meet with him.

PTI leaders have criticized the government for political victimization, vowing to continue protests until Imran’s release. Barrister Saif, KP’s Information Advisor, condemned the government’s “heavy-handed” response and warned of escalating tensions, drawing comparisons to the Model Town incident.

Political analysts have stressed the need for dialogue, warning that reliance on non-political actors will worsen Pakistan’s political and economic crises. The October 15 protest adds pressure on both PTI and the government amid rising political instability.