Only Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan could reconsider the November 24 protest call, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said on Saturday as the federal government blocked roads to stop them from marching to Islamabad.
Incarcerated former prime minister Imran 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.
The federal government has called in additional security troops to assist the capital city administration in maintaining order during the protest.
“Khan sahib is Khan sahib. He is the boss. He doesn’t recommend [it]. He orders we follow,” he said while appearing on Geo News show ‘Naya Pakistan’. “Final call means final call. Only Imran Khan can review it [the protest on November 24].”
When asked, the PTI chairman stated that Khan had given the call for the protest and thus it was his decision to review it. “We have no right to review any order of Khan sahib.”
Gohar said the PTI’s political committee discussed everything as per Khan’s instructions and it was not its option to review something that the PTI founder ordered and give a contrary direction.
The PTI chairman went on to add that he and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi only made contact once and no commitment was made of when the PTI chairman would inform the interior minister about his final response.
When asked, he clarified that the party has no right to review Khan’s instructions and only puts forward its reccomendations.
The internal developments of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders’ meeting at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s House came to light on Saturday, following Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s contact with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar.
As the 9pm deadline set by the interior minister approaches, attempts by former president Arif Alvi and KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur to reach Aleema Khan by phone have been unsuccessful, sources said. Khan’s sister has not answered calls from either Alvi or Gandapur.
In response, a meeting of party leaders has been scheduled for 9pm at the CM’s House where consultations with former first lady Bushra Bibi would take place. The former president has requested Gohar to arrive in Peshawar for further discussions.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reached out for a second time on Saturday to PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan to discuss the protest. But the interior ministry claimed that there had only been one contact and was awaiting a final response from the PTI.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, no negotiations are taking place with the PTI, nor is there any committee being formed.
Earlier, sources reported that during his second phone call with the PTI chairman, Naqvi informed Gohar that an 80-member delegation of foreign guests would arrive in Pakistan, indicating that a protest or sit-in would not be appropriate for the political party under such circumstances.
The minister highlighted the importance of ensuring a smooth visit for the delegation, citing it as a key reason for the restrictions on political activities.
In response, Gohar stated that consultations with other party leaders were ongoing and a final decision would be made after meeting with the party’s leadership.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko would visit Pakistan from November 25 to 27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Foreign Office said on Thursday as the two sides seek to boost their bilateral ties.
Gohar has informed KP Chief Minister Gandapur about the phone call from Naqvi, sources said. The PTI chairman was supposed to communicate a final decision to the interior minister by 6pm.
Previously, Naqvi had briefed Gohar about the situation following a ruling from the Islamabad High Court. He emphasised that the government was bound by the court’s orders and could not permit any marches, sit-ins, or rallies.
Naqvi informed that the Belarusian delegation is set to arrive in Islamabad on November 24, with the president himself arriving on November 25. The delegation is expected to remain in Islamabad until November 27.
Gohar reiterated that he would provide a final opinion after consulting with the party.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has stated that those who come to Islamabad this time would not leave unscathed. Tear gas would be deployed and arrests are also planned, he said.
Also, read this
Police block roads to halt PTI supporters marching to Islamabad
PTI finalises protest plan; asks supporters to reach Islamabad by November
Following motorways will be closed from Friday night due to ‘maintenance’
While addressing officers at the Islamabad Police Lines, he instructed the police to prepare for crackdowns and stressed the need for teamwork to ensure the safety of the capital.
Meanwhile, PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry criticised the PTI founder and his associates for “turning the country into a spectacle.” He alleged that Bushra Bibi’s recent statement was made with the consultation of the PTI founder.
“The PTI leadership should feel “ashamed” of such comments,” he said and accused Khan’s PTI of targeting friendly nations.
