Only Imran Khan can postpone PTI march to Islamabad — Dawn
In Pakistan, Senate opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said that only PTI founder Imran Khan can postpone the party’s march to Islamabad planned for September 27. Dawn reports.
PTI has announced nationwide protests, including a “long march” to the capital. The party demands Imran Khan’s release and says it is mobilizing supporters to defend the supremacy of the constitution. The Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ain-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance, of which Abbas is one of the leaders, said it supports the protest.
Meeting with the interior minister
Abbas wrote on social media platform X that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had met with him and heard the opposition’s position: the September 27 march cannot be postponed without a meeting with Imran Khan. TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai told Dawn that the meeting took place on September 14 at Naqvi’s request. According to him, Abbas and PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan participated on behalf of the opposition.
After a press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, Abbas said that no person can postpone the march without meeting Imran Khan. He also said that no issue can be resolved without such a meeting.
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Government position and preparations
On Friday, Naqvi said the government would prevent any attempts to march on the federal capital “by all possible means.” He also warned of possible contempt of court proceedings against those who violate a recent Islamabad High Court ruling.
The court noted that political parties have the right to protest provided they comply with the constitution and the law, while activities that violate citizens’ fundamental rights are contrary to the constitution.
On the same day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi met with Abbas and National Assembly opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. According to a TTAP statement, they discussed the strategy and further organization of the protest. The administrations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had earlier begun preparations to counter the march, including considering the detention of activists, the placement of containers, deploying additional personnel and procuring riot-control equipment.
