{
  "id": 10040117,
  "title": "'Protest everyone's right but minus Islamabad': Rana Sanaullah says 'practice' of marches to capital should end",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/protest-everyones-right-but-minus-islamabad-rana-sanaullah-says",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T18:55:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2032865/protest-everyones-right-but-minus-islamabad-rana-sanaullah-says-practice-of-marches-to-capital-should-end"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah argued on Saturday that while everyone in Pakistan had a constitutional and legal right to protest, Islamabad should not be used as a venue for demonstrations. He urged people to cease the practice of long marches and protests in the federal capital. The PTI had been organizing a nationwide protest and march to Islamabad to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, currently held in Adiala jail. However, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sarfaraz Khan Afridi, postponed the march to October 4. Similarly, the Jamaat-i-Islami had organized a protest march towards Islamabad against a petroleum levy but canceled it upon Shehbaz Sharif's request for a meeting with the Prime Minister. Sanaullah stated that if someone wishes to protest, they should do so in cities like Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Karachi, Peshawar, or Multan. He emphasized that the ban on protests in Islamabad applies to all, not just the PTI, as gatherings without prior permission are prohibited under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024. Sanaullah highlighted that a message was sent stating no protests would be allowed within Islamabad due to the presence of foreign diplomats, as demonstrations could send a negative message. He also accused the PTI of seeking to overthrow the government, alleging leaders' threats to break into Adiala jail to meet Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since an August 2023 conviction. The PM's aide clarified that while containers had been placed at the corners of Islamabad's roads for safety, no roads had been closed. He emphasized that PTI did not apply for permission for a gathering nor informed the Islamabad administration about the expected time and duration, and that they should approach the Islamabad High Court and provide required guarantees. Sanaullah warned that PTI should not hold a march that could push back law enforcement agencies or head towards D-Chowk, as authorities would have legal backing to respond under the recent IHC ruling.",
  "summary": "Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah contended on Saturday that everyone had a constitutional and legal right to protest, but Islamabad should be off-limits for demonstrations and urged people to “end the practice” of staging long marches and protests in the federal capital. PTI had been gearing up for a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad to press for the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Rana Sanaullah says Islamabad should not be used for protests.",
    "Long marches and demonstrations in the capital should end.",
    "PTI urged to approach Islamabad High Court for gathering permissions."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "'Protest everyone's right but minus Islamabad': Rana Sanaullah says 'practice' of marches to capital should end",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/protest-everyones-right-but-minus-islamabad-rana-sanaullah-says-10045871",
        "published": "2026-09-26T18:55:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}