PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is fully prepared to stage a protest in Islamabad on October 15, according to Abbtakk News.
While addressing reporters at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Gandapur stated, “We are heading to Islamabad tomorrow (October 15) and are ready as always.”
He also voiced the party’s concerns regarding the health of imprisoned founder Imran Khan. “We are seriously worried about Imran Khan’s well-being, and the government is compelling us to organize a protest to advocate for our demands,” Gandapur added.
In a separate statement to ARY News, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub criticized the government for prohibiting them from meeting with Imran Khan. “It is our constitutional and legal right to see Imran Khan, yet the government has imposed unwarranted restrictions,” Ayub said. He reiterated that the PTI will proceed with the protest on October 15 if they are not permitted to meet with Khan.
Earlier, Information Minister Atta Tarar stated that no one would be allowed to disrupt the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Islamabad, indicating potential strict measures against the planned PTI protests. “Those with a mindset to conspire against the country should remain at home, as any disruptions during the SCO Summit will not be tolerated,” Tarar remarked to the media.
The minister emphasized that Islamabad has been secured to host foreign delegations, including 12 heads of state, for the SCO Conference scheduled for October 15-16. “The announcements regarding protests will not affect our preparations, as Islamabad is fully secured,” he added, in reference to PTI’s plans for upcoming demonstrations.
