Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has postponed its protest, initially scheduled for October 15 at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, according to ARY News. The decision was made during a meeting of PTI’s political committee, citing the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, which will take place in the capital on October 15-16.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced that the protest was postponed following a request from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who contacted the party on behalf of the government. The government assured PTI that a medical examination for party founder Imran Khan would be conducted and that access to his physician would be restored.
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Barrister Gohar added that doctors were expected to visit Imran Khan in Adiala Jail this morning as part of this agreement.
The SCO Summit will see participation from the prime ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as the vice president of Iran and India’s external affairs minister.
Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had said that PTI was fully prepared for the protest in Islamabad, expressing concerns over the health of Imran Khan. He noted that the party felt forced to demonstrate to highlight their concerns.
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However, Minister for Information Atta Tarar warned that no disruptions to the SCO Summit would be tolerated, suggesting strict measures against any protests. He emphasized that Islamabad has been made fully secure to welcome foreign delegations, including 12 heads of state, for the event.