Ali Muhammad Khan opposes PTI's protest call during SCO summit

Lawmaker called for 'no protest during SCO' but added, 'if pushed against the wall, then party has no option left'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan has expressed opposition to the party's call for a protest at D-Chowk during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

Speaking on Express News' program "Center Stage" with host Rahman Azhar, Khan stated, “In my personal opinion, there should not be a protest during the SCO meeting. However, if we are continually pushed against the wall, then we will have no option left.”

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political committee once again announced plans to hold a protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad on October 15, last night.

According to Express News, the emergency meeting of PTI’s political committee took place without the participation of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Following the meeting, PTI Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram issued a statement confirming that a large-scale protest will be held at D-Chowk on October 15.

He further stated that all organisational heads, from the central committee to the regional level, have been instructed to prepare for the demonstration.

In light of preparations for the peaceful protest at D-Chowk, the party has cancelled the planned protests across Punjab, which will be rescheduled.

The PTI political committee emphasised that the "illegitimate rulers," who they accused of stealing the people's mandate and disregarding the Constitution and law, remain unwilling to cease their oppression.

The committee also claimed that PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail, is being subjected to a new wave of brutality.

The statement further stated that Imran Khan's life, health, and safety are being deliberately endangered as all of his fundamental and human rights have been revoked.

In response, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif slammed "chaos-monger" Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday, as the opposition party announced another "forceful" protest in the D-Chowk of Islamabad on October 15, which fall on the first day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.

The PTI decision was taken during an emergency meeting of its political committee. According to a statement, in view of the preparations for the protest on October 15, the protests planned in the districts of Punjab had been cancelled and their schedule would be announced later.

Addressing a Police Darbar at the Police Lines Headquarters in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz paid glowing tribute to the police for their "bravery and courage", effectively thwarting a recent violent political rally in the federal capital that, he said, was aimed at creating chaos.

"The Islamabad police foiled the fanatic group's deadly plan," Shehbaz said. "In 2014, these chaos-mongers rioted day and night for seven months at D-Chowk, forcing the government to postpone the visit of our close friend, Chinese President Xi Jinping," he added.

"Then, the rioters damaged private property, there was an unholy plan to attack PTV and parliament, and hundreds of police officers and personnel including [Senior Superintendent of Police] Asmatullah Junejo, were injured," he continued.