Negotiations between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the government regarding the planned protest in Islamabad on November 24 have reached a deadlock, sources said on Friday. Amidst this, the incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s party has completed its “final consultations” and is prepared to proceed to the federal capital.
Khan has asked his supporters to march towards Islamabad on November 24 for democracy and judiciary. But Defence Minister Khawaja Asif believes the protest is akin to “insurrection” as the former ruling party allegedly wants to usurp the federal capital.
The PTI founder has set four demands for ending protests while his wife has stated that the date would only change if Khan is out of jail.
Khan’s PTI encountered a significant setback on Thursday when the Islamabad High Court ruled that no protests or rallies violating a recent law on public gatherings would be permitted over the weekend due to the visit of the Belarusian president.
Sources told Aaj News that it has been decided in a meeting that PTI convoys would depart for Islamabad on November 24, with an expected arrival time of two to three days.
The PTI leadership has instructed workers to enter federal capital by November 26 where they plan to stage sit-ins.
During the discussions, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan announced that she and other party members would join the convoy heading to Islamabad, emphasising that the door for negotiations would remain open during the protest.
PTI leader Raoof Hasan has stated that the dialogue process has “not stalled”.
While appearing on Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal, he said the party leaders went to the jail to meet Khan, but could not meet him.
“We will try to meet him tomorrow [Saturday],” he said.
When asked, Hasan said: “Talks are being held with those who are above [Interior Minister] Mohsin Naqvi. Negotiations are under way with people concerned.”
On the other hand, PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry has announced that the decision to protest on November 24 would be implemented.
The deadlock between the PTI and the government has persisted since Wednesday evening, primarily due to escalating tensions and unreasonable demands.
Efforts are under way to break the stalemate, but if negotiations fail, the PTI “may face severe repercussions.”
Khan’s party has released the final list of leaders who would head the protest rallies. From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Shahid Khatak would lead the convoy while PTI MNA Zartaj Gul would spearhead the rally from southern Punjab.
Sher Afzal Marwat, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Sanam Javed, and Hamad Azhar would lead the charge from Punjab. In Sindh, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Alamgir Khan would head the convoy.
In addition, some PTI leaders including Azam Swati would lead from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan while Barrister Gohar, Shandana Gulzar, Latif Khosa, Omar Ayub, and Shibli Faraz would take charge of the Islamabad convoy.
Police have blocked roads in Mureedke. Trucks have been positioned near Khori Sadhu Ki to close off the GT Road, leading to significant difficulties for travellers.
Traffic has come to a standstill due to the barriers, leaving passengers frustrated and struggling to find alternate routes. The lack of public transport on the roads is becoming increasingly apparent as a result of the PTI protests.
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Containers have been deployed from Kala Shah Kaku to Mureedke, resulting in closures on the M2 and GT Road at three different points.
Such measures, taken by the government and police, aim to prevent the protests from taking place, but they are further exacerbating public hardships. Hundreds of weddings have been cancelled due to the disruptions, with transporters being compelled to sign affidavits stating they will not provide vehicles to PTI.
