Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has informed Barrister Gohar, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), that the government will not permit any sit-ins or rallies in Islamabad. This decision aligns with security measures during an official visit by a high-ranking Belarusian delegation.
Naqvi’s communication to Gohar precedes the scheduled arrival of an 80-member delegation from Belarus, led by President Alexander Lukashenko, from November 24 to 27, as reported by Express News. He emphasized that the Islamabad High Court’s guidelines necessitate restricting public gatherings during significant international visits.
The interior minister shared the detailed itinerary of the Belarusian delegation’s visit and reiterated that in light of these security preparations, no public gatherings would be allowed. In response, Gohar indicated he would discuss the matter with PTI leadership before deciding on their next steps.
Earlier today, PTI’s Secretary of Information, Sheikh Waqas Akram, asserted the party’s determination to proceed to D-Chowk, Islamabad, for a planned sit-in, claiming constitutional rights to peaceful protest.
Amidst these developments, the PTI leadership convened at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, where key figures, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former President Arif Alvi, decided to proceed with their plans for the sit-in at D-Chowk.
Arbab Asim, PTI’s Peshawar region president, confirmed the booking of heavy machinery to clear any barriers, stating the Youth Wing would handle security.
As PTI gears up for the November 24 demonstration, the government has intensified security measures, implementing Section 144 across Punjab for three days and deploying substantial law enforcement in Islamabad. Senior officers and district-level commanders oversee operations, with the Punjab inspector general coordinating in Islamabad.
