PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced on Saturday that the party would decide whether to proceed with its planned protest on Sunday following a consultation within the party. This comes after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reached out to him regarding the matter.
As reported, Naqvi’s contact with the PTI MNA followed the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) ruling on Thursday, which declared the planned protest “unlawful.”
PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan had called for the protest, condemning what he described as the “stolen mandate,” unjust arrests, and the passing of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed has bolstered a “dictatorial regime.”
Following a thorough discussion on the matter, Gohar stated that he would inform Naqvi of the PTI’s final decision regarding the protest after consulting with party members.
Naqvi emphasized the IHC’s order, explaining that the government was bound by the ruling, which prohibited any processions, sit-ins, or rallies in Islamabad. He also informed Gohar about the upcoming visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and his 80-member high-level delegation, scheduled to arrive in Pakistan from November 24 to 27.
The IHC had issued the ruling after traders in Islamabad raised concerns about potential disruptions to their businesses during the protest. The court directed the government to take all necessary steps to maintain law and order, particularly with the Belarusian delegation’s visit. Furthermore, the court ordered the Ministry of Interior to form a committee, ideally led by Naqvi, to engage with PTI leaders in hopes of resolving the situation peacefully.
Despite the IHC’s ruling and a ban on public gatherings in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Punjab, PTI leaders remained determined to carry out the protest. Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, relayed his message from prison, insisting that the protest date would only change if her husband were released and provided the public with further instructions. She urged the public to ignore rumors and join the protest on Sunday.
PTI leaders appeared divided on the issue of negotiations with the government. While Sher Afzal Marwat denied that talks were ongoing, senior leader Raoof Hasan revealed that discussions were taking place with senior figures “at a level higher than Naqvi.”
In preparation for the protest, security has been significantly ramped up. Public gatherings have been banned across Punjab until Monday, in Rawalpindi until Tuesday, and in Islamabad for the next two months.
Islamabad police have devised an extensive security plan, including the deployment of 6,325 capital police officers and 21,500 personnel from other forces. To block key points and roads, around 1,200 containers will be used in strategic locations across the city, including critical areas like Kati Pahari, Nicholson Monument, and Faizabad.
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi administration has deployed more than 6,000 anti-riot police, with support from Rangers, and will seal off the city at 70 points using containers and barriers.
