The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is reportedly considering postponing its planned protest for October 15, contingent on securing a meeting with former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In a core committee meeting led by Barrister Salman Akram Raja, party officials discussed the possibility of delaying the protest if a meeting with Khan or other significant party leaders could be arranged by October 14.
Sources indicate that the decision to postpone the protest is influenced by the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, where around 900 delegates are expected to attend. Some party members expressed concern about potential disruptions, while others, including Shahbaz Gill and Khalid Khurshid, opposed the delay. The leadership ultimately leaned towards postponement, highlighting the ban on meetings with Khan as a “calculated conspiracy” by the government.
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In response to the PTI’s protest plans, the federal government has vowed to deploy significant security forces to prevent any disruptions during the high-profile summit. Ministers have condemned the PTI’s intentions, labeling them as “political terrorism” that threatens the country’s economic stability. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that previous PTI protests had already impacted diplomatic relations, warning that Pakistan cannot afford chaos during this critical time.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also criticized the PTI, asserting that the party’s actions are aimed at fostering unrest while the nation focuses on a significant diplomatic event. The situation remains fluid as the PTI waits for developments regarding a potential meeting with Khan.
