Barrister Saif seeks orders on protest relocation, PTI founder instructs to stay at D-Chowk

Sources reveal contact with Khan was part of efforts to facilitate communication between govt, PTI leadership

The federal government made another attempt on Tuesday to end the ongoing PTI protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad by initiating contact with party founder Imran Khan, Express News reported. 

Barrister Saif, the Information Advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, reached out to Khan to discuss the possibility of relocating the protest, however, the PTI leader instructed his supporters to remain at D-Chowk.

Saif reportedly informed Khan that the government had initially suggested a protest at Sangjani, but Bushra Bibi had rejected the idea. Saif conveyed that the PTI leadership had instead opted to continue the protest at D-Chowk.

In response, Khan reportedly told Barrister Saif, "Since we are already at D-Chowk, let’s stay here. I will tell you later what needs to be done next." Following the conversation with Saif, Khan issued a statement on social media platform X, urging his supporters to remain at D-Chowk.

According to sources, Barrister Saif and Khan discussed the ongoing protest and potential next steps. The advisor briefed Khan on the details of the protest, while Khan issued new instructions and strategy to continue the demonstration at D-Chowk.

Following the conversation, Barrister Saif was expected to brief key PTI leaders, including K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Bushra Bibi, and other party officials, on the strategy provided by Khan. A follow-up consultation was anticipated, after which the PTI leadership would respond to the federal government's proposal.

Sources revealed that Barrister Saif’s contact with Khan was part of a special initiative to facilitate communication between the government and the PTI leadership. 

A day earlier, the federal government had offered PTI the option to hold their rally at Sangjani instead of D-Chowk. However, the PTI leadership disagreed with this suggestion, and the protestors continued their sit-in at the designated location.