The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has laid out its condition to cancel the planned protest on October 15, but the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has rejected the proposal.
The federal government, along with its allies, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), urged PTI to reconsider the protest date, as it coincided with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled in Islamabad from October 15-16.
Speaking on Geo News’ “Naya Pakistan,” PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said, “You can open the jail for a rally… If you’re concerned about the SCO, then allow a meeting with Khan. If his sisters and doctors confirm that he’s in good health after the meeting, we won’t hold the protest.”
He clarified that the meeting would take only 10-15 minutes and stressed that the party leadership was concerned about Imran Khan’s health. “You’ve cut us off from him,” he said, accusing the authorities of not allowing visits with the former prime minister.
Akram also denied rumors of any disagreements within PTI’s leadership regarding the October 15 rally. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur were against holding the rally, while Hammad Azhar and Salman Akram were in favor.
In addition, PTI has written to the Ministry of Interior, requesting a meeting with Imran Khan for Barrister Gohar and Hamid Raza, stating that their last meeting with him was on October 3.
PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry dismissed PTI’s demand, claiming that Imran Khan is already receiving regular visits and is the most privileged prisoner in history. He accused PTI of using the SCO summit as an excuse, adding, “The SCO conference is a significant international event with 200 delegations coming to Pakistan. It concerns the country’s economy and future, not any individual.”
Chaudhry further criticized PTI’s protest plans, calling them an attempt to blackmail the government. “The protest call is just a tactic to pressure the state,” he said, emphasizing that despite being imprisoned, Khan is enjoying special VIP treatment.
