PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan urges dialogue and restraint ahead of the party’s September 27 Islamabad march as Rangers are deployed in the capital and parts of Punjab.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has urged the federal government to engage in dialogue with the party ahead of its planned September 27 march, calling for restraint and warning against confrontation between political workers and law-enforcement personnel.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament on Thursday, Gohar said political dialogue was necessary as a major political party prepared to hold a protest. He urged the government to listen to PTI’s grievances rather than rely on force to deal with demonstrators.
Gohar specifically opposed the use of net launchers against political workers, saying protesters should be allowed to present their grievances and seek justice. He said PTI wanted the political process to remain peaceful and did not want demonstrators and security personnel to come into confrontation.
“We have remained peaceful and will continue to be peaceful,” Gohar said, reiterating the party’s position that the planned march would not target state institutions or Islamabad.
The PTI chairman said the party had announced its September 27 programme well in advance and that there was currently no change in its plan. PTI has said the march is aimed at pursuing its political demands, including the release of party founder Imran Khan.
Gohar also defended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying Afridi remained the party’s chief minister and had the confidence of Imran Khan. He said the entire party supported Afridi on the instructions of its founder.
He criticised what he described as interference in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa affairs and called for respect for the province’s constitutional autonomy, elected representatives and political mandate. He also objected to the arrest of provincial lawmakers on political grounds and said political rivals should not engage in physical confrontation.
Meanwhile, the federal government has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad Capital Territory and several Punjab districts amid preparations for the September 27 PTI march. According to the Interior Ministry notification, the deployment is authorised from Sept. 20 to Oct. 5.
The Punjab government had requested Rangers assistance in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali to support police in maintaining law and order. The request followed a Punjab Police demand for additional security assistance, with the deployment approved under Article 245 of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and Pakistan Rangers Ordinance 1959.
The federal notification authorises Rangers personnel to assist police in maintaining public order and responding to violent activities or security threats. Personnel have also been directed to take necessary measures to protect lives and public property and act in self-defence if attacked by armed or violent groups.
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