Islamabad: A leader from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has extended an invitation to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to join their protest against the Pakistani government in Islamabad.
EAM Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of Government (SCO-CHG) meeting in Pakistan on October 15 and 16.
Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor on Information to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, made the invitation during a Geo News program on Friday. He stated, “PTI will invite Jaishankar, the Indian External Affairs Minister, to come and join PTI’s protest and speak to our people. This will showcase that Pakistan is a strong democracy where everyone has the right to protest.”
Saif added that foreign delegations would be pleased to witness the party’s demonstration.
The PTI has been organizing protests to demand that the government adhere to the constitution and to advocate for the independence of the judiciary. They are also calling for the release of their 72-year-old founder, Imran Khan, who has been in jail since his arrest on August 5, 2023, and faces multiple legal cases.
On Saturday, the Pakistani Army was deployed in Islamabad to ensure security ahead of the PTI’s planned protest at D-Chowk. The military presence will continue from October 5 to 17 to maintain law and order during the upcoming SCO meeting.
Authorities have implemented strict measures to prevent PTI supporters from entering Islamabad, including blocking major highways leading to the city, banning pillion riding, and suspending mobile phone services. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which prohibits public gatherings and political assemblies, has been imposed in both Rawalpindi and Islamabad.