Ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned march on Islamabad, both government officials and opposition leaders have called for a delay in the demonstration, citing the presence of foreign dignitaries in the capital for high-profile events, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The summit, scheduled for mid-October, has raised concerns that the protest could tarnish Pakistan’s image on the international stage.
The government has taken extensive measures to prevent the march, positioning 300 containers at entry and exit points in Islamabad and deploying around 6,000 security personnel. Meanwhile, PTI has also announced a demonstration at Lahore’s iconic Minar-e-Pakistan, prompting local authorities to set up security pickets and intensify law enforcement in an effort to control the protests.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, addressing a press conference, urged the PTI to defer its protest until after October 17. He emphasised that any political activities that compromise national interests would not be tolerated. With the Malaysian prime minister already in Islamabad and several delegations from China and Saudi Arabia set to arrive for the SCO summit, Naqvi warned that protests at this time could bring disrepute to Pakistan. He further stated that no leniency would be shown to those arrested during the protests.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, aligning with the government’s stance, also advised PTI to delay its march, stressing that national dignity must be upheld during visits by foreign officials. Echoing similar sentiments, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan called for the protest to be postponed, urging political leaders to prioritize national interest over personal agendas.
Despite these appeals, PTI leader Imran Khan has signaled his party’s reluctance to back down. In response to a message sent via Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Khan stated that PTI would consider delaying the protest if the government agreed to postpone certain constitutional amendments. However, with no response from the government, the party appears determined to move forward with its plan.
In a video message, CM Gandapur vowed to lead PTI supporters to Islamabad’s D-Chowk as instructed by Khan, irrespective of the obstacles, including roadblocks and the threat of violence. Supporters from KP are expected to converge at various points, including the Peshawar Motorway interchange, as they prepare for a face-off with authorities.
Meanwhile, the authorities have ramped up their efforts to prevent protesters from reaching the capital. The Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway (M-1) has been closed near the Burhan interchange, and diversions have been set up along the Grand Trunk Road. Transport services have been disrupted, with buses returning to Peshawar due to road closures.
The crackdown on PTI supporters intensified in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with police arresting over 400 individuals and seizing slingshots and marbles. Section 144 has been imposed in Lahore, empowering police to arrest protesters and maintain order during the scheduled demonstration at Minar-e-Pakistan.
Authorities remain vigilant, stressing that the protests must be conducted peacefully to avoid any negative impact on the country during this crucial diplomatic period.
