Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) decided to protest in Islamabad's D-Chowk on Tuesday (October 15) during the first day of the SCO Summit if their demands were not met. The Pakistani government has imposed strict security measures to welcome 900 foreign delegates.
"Peaceful protest is our constitutional right. No foreign dignitary, including from India, has been given an invitation to PTI to attend the protest," Barrister Gohar Khan said amid rumours of Jaishankar joining the protest during his upcoming visit to Pakistan.
The march, which is being led by the head of the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where Imran Khan's party remains in power, aims to gather in the capital, defying a ban on congregations, to press for Khan's release and agitate against the ruling coalition.
The arrests came a day after Imran's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was about to hold a major protest in the capital Islamabad. The party has been holding several protests demanding Imran's release from prison and the independence of the judiciary.
"It is not possible that while the people face difficulties, high-ranked officials and the prime minister continue to consume free electricity paid for with the taxes people pay," said Pakistan's interim PM.
Under the B-Class, the Khan is entitled to books, newspapers of choice, a table, a chair, a 21-inch television, a mattress, clothing and jail food, in addition to a bathroom facility in the barrack he has been kept in.
The critical statement came as the "ousted PM" constituted a seven-member team to hold talks with the incumbent government over developing consensus on a date for the general elections.
"Who wants to fight the army? Whoever fights the army will only lose the country … all this that is being done, only the PDM will benefit from it,” said PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Imran Khan claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led government did it deliberately in order to put the blame on PTI.
The Army remains Pakistan’s most powerful institution, having ruled it directly for close to half its 75-year history through three coups.
Notably, Sharif's statement came nearly 18 hours after a high court in Islamabad granted broad protection from arrest in multiple legal cases against him
It is worth mentioning the $50 billion Pakistan component of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative -- has not progressed well under the Imran Khan government. And, China believes if Imran Khan's government again came into power, it would be tough to negotiate with the cricketer-turned-politician.
During the address, Pakistan's PM acknowledged the tumultuous nature of the country's political history but did not mention that Imran's arrest was a part of alleged "revenge".
Notably, the critical statement from Pakistani Army came a day after former PM Khan was arrested in a corruption case.
The latest government action came nearly 24 hours after massive protests broke out in several key locations including Lahore and Rawalpindi, where protestors targeted defence bases and police vehicles.
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested and dragged from court Tuesday as he appeared to face charges in multiple graft cases, a dramatic escalation of political tensions that sparked violent demonstrations by his angry supporters across the country.
Pakistan protest: According to reports, more than 5,000 tribesmen took out a rally in Wana, the headquarters of the South Waziristan tribal district, against the growing unrest, terrorism, and kidnappings in their areas.
Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Monday adjourned till October 2 the hearing of a plea to disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for allegedly lying to the Parliament over asking the army to mediate a truce
Islamabad: Signs of a possible solution to end the political crisis engulfing Pakistan looked bleak as anti-government protest leaders suspended talks with the Nawaz Sharif government following a crackdown on demonstrators with opposition leader Imran
Top News
Latest News
