Daily Times

LAHORE: While most seasoned political figures and mainstream opposition parties have disagreed with the Pakistan Tehreemk-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan regarding marching towards the residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Raiwind, the party and its leaders are still unsure whether to proceed with the protest as per scheduled on September 24.

A PTI source told Daily Times that the party leadership has decided to hold consultations with their leadership on four options during the Eid day celebrations cum meetings especially at Bani Gala and Zaman Park residences of the party chairman. Consultation with other political parties’ leaders is also expected to be held during Eid holidays in this regard, sources also mentioned.

A source said that the party leadership was interested in consulting with its leaders and party ticket holders in all four provinces on four options including holding the march as per scheduled, declaring a withdrawal from their announcement to march toward Raiwind, announcing to postpone it till the next decision or the date given by the party after consensus with the other opposition parties, or changing the venue.

PTI sources said the fourth option was an attractive one, a scenario which will still see the PTI leadership march towards Raiwind, but not set up shop outside Nawaz Sharif’s actual residence.

The party leadership appears to have been backed into a corner especially when major opposition parties have opted not to join the march, most notably Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) patron Dr Tahir ul Qadri. Voices against the march towards the prime minister’s mansion in Raiwind were raised in the party soon after the idea was floated, but were reportedly ignored. So, the sources are of the view that as long as the major leadership of the PTI believes there is a chance of the march being successful, it is unlikely to be called off altogether.