Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah says the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are holding off-the-record talks over the party’s planned October 4 protest in Islamabad.
Speaking on Geo News, Sanaullah said consultations with PTI’s senior leadership were continuing. He said the final decision on whether to postpone the march rested with the party.
Sanaullah warned that the government had made arrangements to prevent the protesters from entering Islamabad if the march goes ahead. He said authorities would enforce the law and prevent disruption to routine life.
Governor’s Rule Option Remains Open
Sanaullah also said the option of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained under consideration.
He said the federal government was consulting its coalition partners on the matter. According to Sanaullah, any decision would follow the constitutional process and require parliamentary approval.
His comments come amid continuing tensions between the federal government and the PTI-led KP administration. Federal officials have linked the possibility of emergency measures to the province’s security situation and the planned march.
PTI Maintains October 4 Plan
PTI leaders have said the march will proceed on October 4. The party originally planned the protest for September 27 but later postponed it.
PTI says the protest is aimed at demanding the release of its founder Imran Khan and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy. Senior party leader Asad Qaiser has said there is currently no plan to postpone the march again.
The dispute has also raised concerns over possible emergency measures in KP. However, reports on Thursday indicated that the federal government had decided against immediately imposing governor’s rule or an emergency, while leaving room for further political discussions.
