Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed to the reporters on Thursday communications between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and the establishment as the government increases security in Islamabad ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s protest.

“Right from the first day, Gandapur is in talks with the federal government. He disappears from the rally and suddenly appears, this thing proves that Gandapur has contacts which are backed by the PTI founder,” he told reporters at the Parliament House in Islamabad.

Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan has urged his followers to march towards Islamabad on November 24 for the “restoration” of democracy and the judiciary.

Ruling coalition leaders have slammed the PTI for causing unrest in the country with such protests.

In reaction, the PTI founder set four demands for ending the protest. They are related to the recent steps taken by the government like the 26th Constitutional Amendment. According to former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, Khan’s demands “are not wrong.”

Earlier this week, Khan’s party increased its preparation for the rally and gave special tasks to the party lawmakers.

According to the defence minister, the November 24 protest was not a rally but an “insurrection” and the PTI founder wanted to trample over the government’s order.

When asked, he said: “There is currently no prospect for the release of the PTI founder and the PTI is making desperate attempts to avoid the November 24 protest.”

The defence minister noted that both political and military leadership were working to advance national matters while the PTI “is now seeking a way out of its predicament.”

He was of the view that with only two days left until the planned protest, “a lot can happen.”

In response to questions about the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s comments during the apex committee meeting, Asif questioned how Gandapur could maintain a certain tone in the presence of the establishment.

While permission may be granted for the rally, any attacks on the federal government would not be tolerated, he added.

The defence minister also labelled the PTI founder as a “person of the Zionist lobby,” claiming that lobbying efforts are under way abroad in his favour.

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He recommended the abolition of dual citizenship and claimed that Afghanistan’s territory was being used for terrorism. Asif accused India of supporting terrorist activities and highlighted that some of the missing persons from Balochistan have been found to be involved in suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism.

“The Pakistan Army is making tremendous sacrifices to ensure the nation’s safety,” he said while praising the military for their role in the country’s peace.