PTI doubles down on civil disobedience threat amid govt furore
As tensions rise between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government following the apparent failure of “do-or-die” protest, the former ruling party has vowed to pursue a civil disobedience movement if its demands, which include the release of “political prisoners”, are not met.
“Release our workers and a judicial inquiry should be launched in May 9 events and the late-night crackdown on protesters on November 26,” Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub said while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Sunday.
Last week, incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan — in a post on X — warned the government of launching a “civil disobedience” movement from December 14 if his demands are not met.
The ousted prime minister also constituted a five-member negotiation committee comprising Omar Ayub Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Salman Akram Raja and Asad Qaiser.
The committee, he said, would negotiate with the federal government on two points — the release of “political prisoners” facing trial and the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9, 2023 and a late-night crackdown on PTI protesters on November 26.
Addressing the presser today, Omar said that the committee was ready to hold talks with every stakeholder in the country.
He castigated the government for allegedly using live ammunition against the “peaceful protesters”, saying that 12 PTI workers were killed during the protest. “Over 200 workers are still missing while more than 5,000 were arrested,” he claimed.
