PTI Sets Conditions for October 15 Rally Amid Political Tensions

The political landscape in Pakistan is once again heating up as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has set a condition for calling off its planned protest on October 15. This rally has become a point of contention between PTI and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which has outright rejected the proposal put forth by the Imran Khan-led party. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the PTI's rally coincides with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled to take place in Islamabad on October 15-16.

In a recent statement, a PTI spokesperson expressed concerns regarding the health of the party's founding chairman, Imran Khan. The spokesperson emphasized that the meeting related to the SCO summit would only take about 10-15 minutes, suggesting that the protest could still proceed without significant disruption. However, the spokesperson also lamented, "You’ve made us incommunicado," indicating that the authorities have been restricting access to the former prime minister, which has raised alarms within the party.

Interestingly, there appears to be some internal disagreement within the PTI regarding the rally. Reports indicate that while PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur are against holding the protest, other party members, including Hammad Azhar and Salman Akram, are in favor of it. This division could potentially impact the party's strategy moving forward.

In an effort to resolve the situation, the PTI has reached out to the Ministry of Interior, requesting a meeting with Imran Khan. The letter specifically asks for Barrister Gohar and Hamid Raza to be allowed to meet with the PTI founder, highlighting the party's desire to maintain communication and unity during this turbulent time.

As the date of the rally approaches, the political tension in Pakistan is palpable. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for the PTI and its supporters. It remains to be seen whether the party will proceed with the rally or find a way to accommodate the government's concerns regarding the SCO summit. Regardless of the decision, the events of October 15 will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in Pakistan's political narrative.