Rana Sanaullah Says PTI Should Protest Outside Islamabad Ahead of Long March
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to keep its planned protest away from Islamabad, saying demonstrations could instead be held in cities including Peshawar, Mardan, Karachi or Lahore.
Speaking during a television programme, Sanaullah said political and military leaders had agreed that sit-ins and long marches should remain away from the federal capital.
He maintained that political parties had the right to pursue their demands through peaceful political means but argued that repeatedly bringing protest marches to Islamabad should end.
His remarks come as PTI prepares to launch its long march on October 4, with the party demanding access to its jailed founder Imran Khan among other issues.
Government and opposition representatives have been holding negotiations in an attempt to resolve the dispute before the planned mobilisation.
Sanaullah said PTI representatives had been urged during the negotiations to pursue their demands politically and avoid violence.
The government has also raised concerns about the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and sought cooperation from the provincial administration.
PTI, meanwhile, maintains that peaceful protest is its constitutional right and has decided to proceed with the October 4 march unless its leadership changes the plan.
The party’s political and core committees have linked cancellation of the march to securing a meeting with Imran Khan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has maintained that the final decision to call off the mobilisation rests with the jailed PTI founder.
The dispute has prompted discussion within government circles over constitutional options involving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the political and security situation deteriorates.
Sanaullah said governor’s rule or an emergency were constitutional options available under certain circumstances, while describing governor’s rule as undesirable.
No emergency or governor’s rule has been formally imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Government-opposition negotiations therefore remain central to efforts to prevent a confrontation as PTI prepares for its planned mobilisation.
Islamabad has already seen extensive security preparations ahead of the protest. Containers placed around routes into the capital have also disrupted freight movement, with transport operators reporting significant logistical difficulties.
The outcome of continuing negotiations will determine whether the political dispute can be resolved before PTI begins its planned march.
