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PTI to once again take to streets against Imran’s imprisonment, constitutional amendments

Call for tomorrow's protest comes two days after an earlier protest, scheduled for October 15, was called off

PTI to once again take to streets against Imran’s imprisonment, constitutional amendments
Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), chant slogans as they gather during a protest.

Reuters/File

Former ruling party condemns treatment of Imran Khan and accuse government of violating his rights

PTI leaders urge public to participate in protests and oppose what they describe as 'fascist rulers'

Pakistan’s opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced nationwide protests tomorrow, October 18, against the government’s proposed constitutional amendments and the continued detention of party chairman Imran Khan.

The decision was taken during the party’s political committee meeting following a deadlock over the proposed constitutional amendments with the ruling coalition.

As per its latest announcement, the federal government seeks to present the amendments in the Senate tomorrow. The attempt comes after talks to gain lawmakers' consensus, essential to pass the amendments, continue to end in stalemate. A month has passed since the government has been trying to pass the controversial 'constitutional package'.

The latest call comes two days after an earlier protest, scheduled for October 15, was called off by party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan in light of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad.

Earlier this month, the former ruling party held another protest march toward the federal capital, Islamabad, led by Gandapur. The KP chief minister and other PTI members reached Islamabad but took refuge in KP House. Authorities raided the location but failed to detain Gandapur, who mysteriously disappeared, only to reemerge the next day during a KP Assembly session in Peshawar.

Policemen fire tear gas shells towards supporters and activists of former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, during a protest in Islamabad on October 4, 2024. AFP

'Peaceful' demonstrations

The party, in its press release, emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations across the country, calling for the release of Imran Khan and other detained PTI leaders.

Ali Amin Gandapur, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, stated on X, “There will be peaceful protests held across all cities and districts. If we don’t raise our voices now, our future generations will suffer even more.”

The PTI’s political committee strongly condemned the treatment of Imran Khan, who is being held in Adiala Jail. The party accused the government of violating his fundamental rights and demanded that his family, lawyers, and party leaders be allowed to visit him.

In a post on X, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser criticized the government’s actions, saying, “What kind of legislation is this, where people are beaten, bribed, or humiliated? If we don’t act now, these laws will infringe on everyone’s rights.” Qaiser called on all political parties to unite in the protests, warning that “history will not forgive those who remain silent.”

‘No Pakistani should sit at home’

Hammad Azhar, another senior PTI leader, urged the public to participate in the protests. “No Pakistani should sit at home tomorrow,” he wrote. “The time has come to end this fascist government.”

Police personnel detain an activist of former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, during a protest in Islamabad on October 4, 2024. AFP

The PTI has instructed all regional and local organizations to organize peaceful protests after Friday prayers at district headquarters nationwide. Major protest locations in key cities will be announced by Hammad Azhar.

The political committee also demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, along with other detained PTI leaders, including advocate Intezar Hussain Panjotha, Azam Swati, and PTI Balochistan president. The committee vowed to oppose the government's plans for constitutional amendments, labeling them an attempt to distort the country's constitution.

PTI leaders appealed to all sections of society who believe in the supremacy of the constitution to join the protests, calling for a united front against what they described as “fascist rulers.” The party's leadership reaffirmed their commitment to blocking any amendments in Parliament and fighting for the rule of law.

Internal rift

Meanwhile, differences have emerged between PTI leaders Sher Afzal Marwat and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan regarding the protests, sources within PTI told Nukta.

On October 4, they said, after a call for protests at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, Ali Amin Gandapur left for KP House, leaving PTI workers at D-Chowk confused about whether to continue the protest, as there was no leader to guide them.

Due to concerns over the harassment of their parliamentarians, the sources said that PTI announced that their members would not make public appearances, leading to a divide in the party's leadership.

PTI leaders stated that the issue would be presented to Imran Khan on October 7. In the meantime, the Punjab government imposed restrictions on prison visits, citing security concerns related to the SCO summit.

Although PTI called for protests in several cities across Punjab, stringent measures by the authorities prevented any large-scale demonstrations. After failing to secure a meeting with Imran Khan, the PTI’s political committee announced new protests to coincide with the SCO summit on October 15. This call for protests was opposed by some PTI leaders and political figures.

PTI leadership insisted on meeting Imran Khan before proceeding with further plans. The government arranged a meeting between a doctor from PIMS Hospital and Imran Khan, which resulted in the release of a medical report. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar shared the report, which garnered praise from government minister Khawaja Asif. However, PTI leaders sharply criticized the move.

Once again, PTI’s political committee has called for protests on Friday.

Former PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry expressed frustration, remarking, “Some are in Afghanistan, some in the U.S., and some in the U.K. How can PTI workers take to the streets?”

Chaudhary stated that Pakistan's politics is entering a critical phase. “This week will shape the future of the country's political landscape,” he said.

He praised Fazlur Rehman’s role, calling it pivotal in the days ahead. “His ability to unite the entire opposition and engage in dialogue with the government demonstrates his political acumen,” he noted.

Progress on constitutional amendments

A day earlier, the country's top leadership, ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari gathered to discuss constitutional amendments, which have created fissures in the national political landscape.

All of them were trying to woo Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), one of the largest religious parties in the country.

The proposed changes include the creation of constitutional courts and revised procedures for appointing judges.

The meeting was hosted by PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

With only eight seats in the National Assembly – the lower house of parliament - Maulana's party has emerged as the kingmaker. Without his support, the ruling coalition does not have enough numbers to pass the amendment.

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