NEW DELHI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2022) The leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Monday called on his supporters to gather on November 26 in Rawalpindi, a city adjacent to Islamabad.
"You are all due to arrive in Rawalpindi on November 26 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (08:00-09:00 GMT). I will meet you there and give you the next plan of action," Khan said on Twitter.
The PTI also sent a request to the Rawalpindi authorities to hold a peaceful sit-down strike in the Faizabad district, located on the border with Islamabad. The strike action will be spearheaded by the former prime minister, who requested security measures from the city administration, according to the statement.
The inspector general of the Islamabad police, Akbar Nasir Khan, said that the capital's authorities may close all entrances to the city during the opposition strike. He added that any political activity in Islamabad would be carried out in accordance with the law and the permission of the city administration, and the protection of the "red zone" of Islamabad, the area where the main government buildings are located, would be strengthened, Pakistani broadcaster GEO tv reported.
"Search operations will be conducted throughout the district in connection with threats of terrorism, while drones and surveillance cameras will be provided to the staff on duty," the inspector general was quoted by the broadcaster as saying.
On November 10, the PTI resumed its march to Islamabad demanding an early general election after the protest procession was interrupted by an assault on its leader in early November. After shooting at a column of protesters, Khan was wounded in the legs. The politician accused a senior army officer, Maj. Gene. Faisal Naseer, of being behind the attempt on his life.
Khan was ousted in mid-April amid a spiraling economic crisis after the parliament held a vote of no-confidence in his government. Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers boycotted the vote.
Since then, numerous protests have been held in Pakistan calling for a snap election amid public discontent with the economic situation in the country under the government headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who replaced Khan. Khan claimed that he had been overthrown in a US-sponsored coup and vowed to seek new elections.
The Election Commission of Pakistan said that new election will not be held until May 2023.
