PTI ‘still in two minds’ over march plans to Islamabad

A PTI leader hinted on Thursday at possibly postponing their protest march in Islamabad if the federal government agreed to certain demands. These demands include releasing party chief Imran Khan and other political prisoners, holding elections within six to eight months, and conducting an investigation into crackdowns on the opposition party.

Advocate Naeem Haider Panjutha suggested that if these three assurances were given by the government, the protest could be postponed. However, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram denied any such proposal was being discussed, stating that only Imran Khan could make a decision. The PTI insists that the first and primary condition is that the public mandate must be respected, with free, fair, and transparent elections held within six to eight months.

All political prisoners, including Imran Khan, must be released through the courts and due process of law, and all cases against Imran Khan are weak. If these three demands are fulfilled, the march can be postponed. On the other hand, the government has deployed Rangers in Islamabad and multiple districts of Punjab ahead of the protest.