When Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Gohar Ali Khan addressed the media after meeting his predecessor for over an hour on Monday, a reporter asked him whether the former ruling party would reconsider its march to Islamabad. He replied in negative.
Several PTI supporters started marching from different cities to Islamabad on Sunday for ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s release.
Authorities have enforced a security lockdown for the last two days to block the protesters, whom Khan has called on to march on Parliament for a sit-in demonstration while highways into the city have been barricaded.
The government has used shipping containers to block major roads and streets in Islamabad, most of them patrolled by large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear.
Officials and witnesses said all public transport between cities and terminals has also been shut down in the eastern province of Punjab to keep away the protesters, led by members of PTI.
The petrol and diesel association has warned the twin cities would be out of fuel if the roads continue to be blocked while basic commodities have skyrocketed because of the closure of roads.
Earlier in the day, Gohar and Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Ali Saif met with PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. Sources within the prison said the meeting lasted for one and a half hours during which the party leaders briefed Khan on the situation regarding the planned protest in Islamabad.
PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan was also present at the jail but was not granted permission to meet with Imran Khan.
Following the meeting, the three leaders departed from Adiala Jail.
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After his meeting with Khan, Gohar responded to questions from reporters regarding ongoing negotiations.
“My meeting with the PTI founder was significant. Imran Khan’s call for protest is final; there is no question of withdrawing that call,” he said.
When asked about the negotiations, the PTI chairman replied, “Yes, we will inform you about that, God willing; they are ongoing.”
