PTI Urged to Postpone Protest Amid Diplomatic Visits
Islamabad/Lahore: On the eve of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest in Islamabad, both government officials and opposition leaders have requested the party to delay their demonstration due to the presence of foreign dignitaries attending key events, including the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Government sources confirmed that over 300 containers have been placed on roads leading into the capital, and 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to ensure security. Islamabad’s M1 motorway has also been blocked at Burhan to prevent any disruptions.
In contrast, PTI has announced another demonstration in Lahore at Minar-e-Pakistan. There, security forces plan to implement measures to maintain order.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called for PTI to defer its demonstration until October 17, citing the potential impact on national reputation with international delegations in the city. This request was echoed by opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan, who stressed that national dignity should take precedence over political objectives.
PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur, however, remains determined to proceed with the protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk. In a video message, Gandapur vowed that PTI supporters would reach their destination despite any roadblocks or attempts to hinder their movement.
Meanwhile, the government has intensified its crackdown on PTI activists, with hundreds of arrests made in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other cities. Authorities have also imposed a temporary ban on pillion riding in the capital and restricted traffic on major routes to contain the situation.
With security heightened across the region, it remains to be seen how events will unfold in the coming days as tensions rise between the government and PTI over the timing of the protest.
