Naqvi Urges PTI to Delay Protest Until 17th; Fazl Recommends Waiting for Departure of Foreign Dignitaries; Punjab Governor Suggests No Harm in a Small Delay
- Over 300 Containers Placed on Islamabad Roads; M1 Motorway Closed at Burhan
- Gandapur Vows to Reach D-Chowk Today, Despite Obstacles
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: On the eve of the PTI’s planned march on Islamabad, both government officials and opposition figures called on the party to postpone its protest at D-Chowk for a few weeks, citing the presence of foreign dignitaries for high-profile events, including the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit later this month.
The government has finalized plans to prevent the protest if PTI proceeds, deploying nearly 300 containers at Islamabad’s entry and exit points and stationing around 6,000 police and paramilitary forces across the capital.
Meanwhile, security pickets will be set up in Lahore, where PTI has announced a demonstration at Minar-i-Pakistan on Saturday.
At a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged PTI to defer its protest until October 17, stating that political activity at the expense of national interest would not be tolerated.
Naqvi highlighted the presence of the Malaysian Prime Minister and warned that protests could damage Pakistan’s image, especially with delegations from China and Saudi Arabia arriving soon for the SCO summit scheduled for October 15 and 16.
“Anyone arrested during the protests will not be shown leniency,” Naqvi warned, criticizing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for supporting such actions.
JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, from the opposition benches, also advised PTI to delay its demonstration until after the foreign dignitaries leave, emphasizing the need to avoid steps that could send a negative message.
Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan echoed similar sentiments, asking PTI to postpone the protest in the interest of national dignity. He added, “A short delay for the sake of the country’s image won’t cause any harm… Decisions should be made beyond political or personal interests.”
Postponement Linked to Amendment
Sources told Dawn that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had received a message through CM Gandapur to postpone the protest. However, Khan responded that the party would consider delaying the demonstration if the government agreed to postpone certain constitutional amendments until October 25.
Despite Gandapur passing on this message, no response was reportedly received from the authorities. PTI, meanwhile, remains firm in its plans, with Gandapur, who also heads the party’s KP chapter, preparing to head to Islamabad on schedule.
In a video statement, Gandapur declared that PTI supporters would reach D-Chowk as per Imran Khan’s instructions, despite any barriers or violence.
He added that PTI workers from Peshawar and southern KP would gather at the Peshawar Motorway interchange at 10 a.m., while those from other parts of the province would assemble at the Swabi interchange.
Abdul Karim Khan, special assistant to the KP chief minister, told Dawn that PTI workers en route to Islamabad were prepared with food, water, and supplies to handle potential tear gas.
Road Closures and Crackdowns
In a bid to stop protesters from entering the capital, the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1) was closed at the Burhan interchange, according to the National Highways and Motorway Police. A diversion was also set up on Grand Trunk Road near Hassanabdal, restricting heavy traffic.
An employee of a major transport company reported that buses heading to Islamabad were forced to return to Peshawar due to the motorway closure, and GT Road was similarly restricted.
In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the crackdown on PTI supporters intensified on Friday, with over 400 arrests, including 14 from Bhara Kahu. Authorities reportedly seized slingshots and marbles during the raids.
In a late-night development, pillion riding was banned in Islamabad for two days.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, the Punjab home secretary invoked Section 144 for six days starting October 3 to thwart the planned PTI protest. Unlike Islamabad, no containers were placed at Lahore’s entry points. Instead, pickets manned by police and rangers will intercept protesters.
“Given Section 144, police have the authority to arrest demonstrators,” a source revealed, adding that government actions in Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Mianwali earlier this week had sent a clear message to PTI to maintain peace in Lahore.
