PTI Cancels Protest Call on Eve of SCO Summit
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to call off its planned protest at D-Chowk on October 15, just before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. The federal government has taken extensive security measures for the upcoming event, deploying over 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel to ensure the safety of the 900 delegates attending.
Leaders from various SCO member states, including Russia, China, Iran, and India, are expected to be present at the summit. In light of the heightened security concerns, the government has implemented Article 245 of the Constitution to mobilize army troops and has declared a three-day holiday in the capital starting from October 14.
Initially, the PTI had called for a protest demanding access to their incarcerated leader, Imran Khan, in Adiala Jail. However, after assurances from the federal government regarding Imran’s health and access to medical care, the PTI leadership decided to postpone the demonstration.
PTI Chairman Barrister Ali Gohar emphasized the party’s top priority as Imran’s health and expressed gratitude for the government’s response to their concerns. The decision to postpone the protest was made unanimously by the party’s committees.