The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a nationwide protest for Friday (tomorrow) in response to the government’s proposed 26th constitutional amendment.
The decision was made during a PTI political committee meeting in Islamabad, where the party leadership expressed strong opposition to the government’s proposed changes to the constitution. In a statement issued after the meeting, the PTI made it clear that it does not accept the amendment plan. The party has called for nationwide protests following Friday prayers, urging members and supporters to take to the streets.
Read more: Jaishankar Praises Pakistan’s Hospitality During SCO Summit Visit
The PTI also discussed its strategy for the upcoming National Assembly session, deciding that only central leaders would attend, while other members would abstain. Opposition leader Omar Ayub said he would only participate in a special parliamentary party meeting after consulting Maulana Fazlur Rehman regarding the draft of the proposed amendments. The political committee also used the meeting to condemn the treatment of PTI founder Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail. The party expressed deep concern about the conditions their leader is facing and demanded immediate access for his lawyers, family, and party members.
Earlier, the PTI had scheduled a protest for October 15 at Islamabad’s D-Chowk but postponed it due to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit taking place in the city.
Read more: Imran Khan’s personal physician denied access: Is there a cover-up?
The decision to protest was reached following deliberations in the PTI political committee, with Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan discussing the government’s offer with committee members, the majority of whom supported the decision.