Following a formal request, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Hamid Raza may meet the detained PTI founder as tensions rise over planned protests

In a significant development, the government of Pakistan appears ready to grant permission for a meeting between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Hamid Raza with the party’s founder, Imran Khan. The anticipated meeting, set for Monday, comes amid mounting pressure on the PTI to withdraw its scheduled protest at D-Chowk coinciding with the opening day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad.

On Saturday, the PTI submitted a written request to the Ministry of Interior, formally seeking approval for the meeting. The request highlights the urgent need for Gohar Ali Khan and Raza to discuss Imran Khan’s health and well-being, as the former Prime Minister remains in custody. This comes after a gap since October 3, 2024, when the last legal representatives were allowed to visit him in Adiala Jail.

The application, dated October 12, expresses deep concern among PTI’s leadership regarding Imran Khan’s welfare. It underscores that no visits have occurred in over a week, intensifying anxieties within the party. Gohar Ali Khan’s letter states, “There is grave concern amongst the political leadership and workers of PTI about the health concern and well-being of Imran Khan,” signalling the urgency of their request.

The PTI’s call for protest at D-Chowk is not without controversy. Internal divisions within the party have surfaced, leading to criticisms from both the government and its allies. Notably, the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen, led by Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jaffari, and the Sunni Ittehad Council, represented by Sahibzada Hamid Raza, have refrained from making formal statements of support for the planned demonstration.

Compounding these pressures, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has urged the PTI to reconsider the protest, particularly in light of the high-profile SCO summit taking place in Islamabad. He emphasised the need for a peaceful environment during this critical event, further complicating the PTI’s position as it navigates political tensions both internally and externally.

As the clock ticks down to the planned protest, Gohar Ali Khan and Hamid Raza’s request for a meeting with Imran Khan represents a strategic move for the PTI. Should the government grant the meeting, it could serve as a pivotal moment for the party, potentially reshaping its approach to the protest and allowing leaders to address concerns directly with their detained founder.

The PTI’s leadership remains at a crossroads. The decision to proceed with the D-Chowk protest has elicited varied reactions, not only from within the party but also from broader political circles. With the SCO summit drawing international attention, the stakes have never been higher for the PTI as it balances the demands of its base with the political realities of the moment.

As developments unfold, all eyes will be on the government’s response to the meeting request and the subsequent actions of the PTI. The implications of these decisions could resonate well beyond the immediate context, influencing the party’s trajectory in the months leading up to the next general elections.