Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has warned that the federal government could consider constitutional options, including the possibility of imposing an emergency, if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march reaches Islamabad on October 4.
His remarks come amid heightened tensions between the federal government and the PTI over the party’s planned march towards the capital.
Sanaullah said the government had not closed the door to negotiations with PTI and that talks remained possible.
At the same time, he stressed that authorities would respond if protesters resorted to force, indicating that the government was preparing for different scenarios surrounding the planned demonstration
Sanaullah also called on PTI to reconsider its planned long march towards Islamabad. He suggested that the party could hold its demonstrations in cities such as Peshawar or Mardan, rather than bringing protesters into the federal capital.
He maintained that peaceful protest is a constitutional and legal right, but argued that demonstrations should not disrupt Islamabad.
In earlier remarks, he similarly suggested that political parties could stage protests in other major cities while avoiding the capital.
PTI had originally planned its long march for September 27 but later postponed it until October 4. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the march would begin from Peshawar and proceed towards Islamabad.
The planned demonstration is linked to PTI’s demands concerning the release of party founder Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated.
The federal government has taken extensive security measures around Islamabad ahead of the planned protest, including restrictions and blockades on major routes.
