Is govt under-estimating PTI march? Rana says 20-30K PTI protesters can reach Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) can bring about 20,000 to 30,000 marchers to Islamabad as part of its ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’.

Rana Sanaullah stated this while answering questions on Twitter space.

However, keeping in view a mammoth crowd of PTI protesters in Lahore, one can believe that the Interior Minister must be under-estimating the number of PTI long march participants who will reach Islamabad on Nov 4. Because, PTI chairman and his party leaders will try their best to show a convincing strength of the marchers in the capital city.

Rana Sanaullah pointed out that PTI could gather only 10,000-15,000 marchers in Lahore and 500 to 600 vehicles in a city of more or less 200 million.

He said, “PTI will be able to bring 20,000 to 30,000 followers to Islamabad.”

Recalling PML-N’s long march led by former PM Nawaz Sharif, Rana said that there was a massive crowd in the march.

He also stated that if Imran Khan wants to talk about election like a political leader, then he will have to sit with coalition leaders unconditionally to make talks beneficial for Pakistan.

The PML-N leader said they are ready to talk, if Imran Khan agrees to sit and negotiate considering the country’s situation. But Imran Khan has been saying that he would rather die than sit and talk with his political opponents, he added.

Rana Sanaullah said that Imran Khan has made a commitment publicly that he will not enter the red zone and will limit his march to the place specified by the Supreme Court.

He was referring to PTI chief’s speech made at Lahore’s Liberty Chowk where he said that the PTI protestors will not enter Islamabad’s Red Zone.

The minister said that Prime Minsiter Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee to deal with the march. Following Imran Khan’s public commitment, we will consider allowing them to enter Islamabad.

Interior Minister said if the PTI march remains peaceful, the government will not stop it. He, however, said the government have to take action if the PTI protesters tried to besiege Islamabad.