PTI has declared that the rally, scheduled for October 15 in Islamabad, can only be called off if a meeting with Imran Khan occurs before October 14. Protest Dependent Such views indicate the increasing friction between the PTI and the ruling Government, especially regarding restrictions on meetings with Imran Khan.
Emergency Meeting of Core Committee Protest Dependent
In an emergency meeting of the PTI core committee, the core committee discussed the erosion of democratic space while reviewing the outlines of the protest scheduled for late afternoon.
PTI Secretary General Barrister Salman Akram Raja arranged the meeting to address other issues related to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and the ongoing suspension of the party commands’ meetings with Imran Khan.
Some party sources said that although some committee members supported the idea of calling off the demonstration because of the SCO summit, other members opposed this idea. Shahbaz Gill and Khalid Khurshid were some of the most notable individuals who opposed postponing the protest. Despite the Government’s oppressive measures, they supported the protest as a vital channel through which to communicate PTI’s grievances.
The Government banned Imran Khan’s Meetings. Protest Dependent
The core committee voiced its discontent, stating that this measure is part of a ‘calculated conspiracy’ of the Government to dismantle the political power of PTI. The fact that none of the party members, their legal counsel, or even doctors have access to Imran Khan, who is unwell, is quite alarming.
Concerns about Imran Khan’s Health Protest Dependent
In that meeting, the health of Imran Khan was somewhat important, with core committee members pointing out how severe the matter was. There has been a rising concern among the PTI leadership about Khan’s condition, with the worry being that his legal team and medical personnel have been unable to reach him. Party members pointed out that addressing such health issues is one of the major concerns, which is why they are on their necksown about having a face-to-face meeting with him before making any decision concerning the protest.
Protest Postponement with Reservations Protest Dependent
There was an in-depth discussion in the core committee, and it was confirmed that the protest would be put off only if there was a meeting with Imran Khan by October 14. The postponement was subject to the meeting, and the members attended the meeting to discuss other steps to ensure that a doctor, lawyer, or senior PTI leader other than Khan meets with the PTI insiders.
Meanwhile, such mop-up meetings remain banned by government orders, and the party fears Imran Khan’s body weight issue. The PTI has resolved to go ahead with plans for a protest set for October 15. The committee stated that the protest would be monumental and aimed to seek answers to how the government treated Khan and other political scandals.
Political Ramifications of the Protest
If the protest does take place, severe political consequences could follow for PTI and the Government in amassing large crowds in Islamabad; it could very well mean that the party continues to defy the Government to suppress it. It can also be a rallying point for general grievances against the Government in other opposition or civil society activists.
While the local arms of PTI are weaker and you try to galvanize a large number, they try to persuade others to suppress the dissidence support. This could also discourage advocates of police tolerance and more civil engagement.
Conclusion
The outcome of PTI’s protest on October 15 will depend on getting a chance to meet Imran Khan. Since the relations between the party and the Government deteriorate, that particular decision will likely have enormous ramifications in Pakistan’s political pulls and its overall political future. The protest, therefore, may be averted if PTI is free to meet its founder. Suppose it cannot, and the Government has banned meetings of this other sort. In that case, there will probably be a protest, and further escalation of the political situation will result.
