Imran Khan's party vows to continue its protest against government
The Hindu
Tense situation in Islamabad as Imran Khan's party protests government, demanding his release and criticizing disappearance of leader.
The law and order situation in the Pakistani capital remained tense for the second consecutive day on Sunday (October 6, 2024) as jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party decided to continue its protest against the government despite the mysterious disappearance of protest leader Ali Amin Gandapur.
Mr. Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, in an overnight meeting, decided that the demonstration would go on until the party founder, Mr. Khan, asked his supporters to end it.
The political committee of PTI also decided that if Gandapur was arrested, senior party leader Azam Swati would lead the protest. If Mr. Swati is arrested, a new leader will be chosen to take command, according to the Dawn newspaper.
Mr. Khan has been incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for more than a year. Upon his call for the rally, the PTI is demanding Mr. Khan's release, independence of the judiciary, and protesting rising inflation.
The political committee also criticised the disappearance of protest leader Gandapur, who is the Chief Minister of the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The committee warned that there would be ‘serious repercussions’ if he was arrested.
Former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser told the Dawn newspaper that PTI’s political committee decided to continue the protest as long as it gets a clear directive from Mr. Khan to end the protest.
“It was also decided that Azam Swati will lead the protest if Gandapur is arrested.” However, he warned, arresting a sitting Chief Minister would be disastrous for the country and there would be serious repercussions.
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