Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by former prime minister Imran Khan, has temporarily suspended its protests in the federal capital, Islamabad, following three consecutive days of demonstrations.
The announcement was made on Wednesday (27 November), via a press release issued by PTI's central media cell, according to Geo News.
"In light of the government's brutality and its plan to turn the federal capital into a 'slaughterhouse' for unarmed citizens, we announce the temporary suspension of our peaceful protest," the press release stated.
It further noted that the party would announce its next course of action under Imran Khan's guidance.
The demonstrations have thus far claimed eight lives, according to PTI spokespersons. In a statement, the party identified the deceased as Anis Shehzad Satti, Malik Mobin Aurangzeb, Abdul Qadir, Malik Safdar Ali, Ahmed Wali, Mohammad Ilyas, and Abdul Rashid.
On Tuesday (26 November) thousands of PTI leaders and activists entered Islamabad, overcoming numerous obstacles, Geo News reported.
However, as they approached the Red Zone, law enforcement agencies launched a severe crackdown, dispersing the protesters.
Amidst the chaos, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan’s wife, reportedly fled the protest site.
The suspension of protests followed shortly after.
PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat revealed to Geo News that both he and Gandapur had opposed bringing the protests into D-Chowk.
According to Marwat, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister had urged activists not to cross the boundaries of Kulsoom Hospital.
The government’s response to the protests has drawn sharp criticism from PTI, which accuses authorities of employing excessive force against unarmed demonstrators.
As the nation watches the unfolding political drama, PTI supporters await further instructions from their leadership.
