Ali Muhammad Khan, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, has expressed his disagreement with the party’s decision to protest at D-Chowk during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Speaking on Express News’ “Center Stage” with host Rahman Azhar, Khan shared his personal view, stating, “I don’t think there should be a protest during the SCO meeting. However, if we are continuously pushed into a corner, we may have no other choice.”
Despite Khan’s concerns, PTI’s political committee reaffirmed their plans for a large protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad on October 15. PTI Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram confirmed the decision after an emergency meeting of the committee, although Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was notably absent.
Akram stated that all organizational leaders, from the central committee to regional heads, have been instructed to prepare for the demonstration. As part of this plan, PTI has postponed its scheduled protests across Punjab, with new dates to be announced later.
The PTI political committee condemned the government, accusing them of stealing the people’s mandate and disregarding the Constitution and the law. They also claimed that PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail, is being subjected to harsh treatment, with his life, health, and safety at risk, and his basic human rights revoked.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticized PTI on Friday, calling them “chaos-mongers” as they announced the protest on the first day of the SCO summit. Addressing a Police Darbar at the Police Lines Headquarters in Islamabad, Shehbaz praised the Islamabad police for their efforts in preventing a recent violent political rally, saying they thwarted a dangerous plan to create chaos in the capital.
He recalled the PTI protests in 2014, which lasted for seven months and forced the postponement of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit. Shehbaz added that the rioters damaged property, attacked PTV and parliament, and injured hundreds of police officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police Asmatullah Junejo.
