PTI faces crackdown ahead of Nov 24 protest

Party rules out deal with establishment

RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR:

As PTI intensifies preparations for its November 24 protest, law enforcement agencies on Saturday launched a crackdown on party leaders and workers.

Multiple raids were conducted late at night across Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore, resulting in the detention of several PTI members.

CCTV footage of police raids has surfaced, showing officers targeting the residences of PTI leaders.

Secretary General of NA-48 Raja Ghazanfar was reportedly arrested, while a raid was carried out at the residence of central leader Shoaib Shaheen.

In Lahore, heavy police contingents stormed the house of Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed.

According to his son, Dr Hassan, the elder Rasheed has been incarcerated for the past 18 months, yet police continue to raid their home. "The house is occupied only by my mother, while I am in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," he said while criticising the repeated harassment.

Meanwhile, K-P Advisor on Information Barrister Saif declared that the November 24 protest would proceed as planned, rejecting any speculation about a deal with the establishment. "This is the time for resistance. PTI's founder has given a clear directive that demands must be met," he asserted during a press briefing.

He added that preparations under K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur's supervision are in full swing, with meetings and consultations held over the past three days involving MNAs, MPAs and organisational leaders.

Barrister Saif also defended Imran Khan's spouse and former first lady Bushra Bibi, calling her a "respectable citizen of Pakistan" with no involvement in practical politics beyond meeting the PTI founder.

He also denied allegations of utilising provincial machinery for protests and highlighted that the previous rally's inclusion of Rescue 1122 vehicles was due to the chief minister's participation.

On the other hand, K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi lambasted the provincial government's focus on rallies rather than governance, arguing that protests will not lead to the release of PTI's founder.

Speaking at the Dera Ismail Khan Press Club, Governor Kundi highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation in K-P, accusing the PTI-led provincial government of failing to address public safety.

"Every day, we shoulder the coffins of soldiers while they demand the military's withdrawal from the province," he added.

Kundi accused the provincial administration of diverting public resources to political activities while government employees go unpaid.