PTI Announces Protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on October 15 Amid SCO Summit

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans for a major protest demonstration at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on October 15, coinciding with the start of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in the capital.

The announcement came after a meeting of the PTI’s political committee. Sheikh Waqas Akram, the party’s central information secretary, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that a “powerful” protest would be held at D-Chowk, despite the significant international event set to take place on the same day.

Akram also revealed that PTI had decided to call off its protests in Punjab, focusing instead on the Islamabad demonstration. He demanded the release of PTI workers, leaders, and members of the Punjab Assembly (MPAs) who have been detained, and urged an end to what he described as “unlawful” raids and arrests by the federal and Punjab governments.

He expressed concerns about the safety of PTI chairman Imran Khan, accusing the government of stripping him of his basic human rights and putting his life at risk. “The entire Pakistan will take to the streets on October 15 if Imran Khan is not granted access to basic rights, family, and party leaders,” Akram warned, accusing the government of violence and oppression.

The protest is set to take place as Islamabad prepares to host the SCO summit on October 15 and 16, where high-level delegations from several countries will gather. The timing of the protest could add to the challenges facing the government during the international event.