PTI's political committee mulls protest cancellation

• Majority of committee members in favour of calling off protest.
• Political committee members unhappy about Bushra's remarks.
• They suggest PTI should distance itself from her statement.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) political committee last night deliberated on the issues of calling off November 24 protest march in view of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision, and the controversy created by Bushra Bibi.

According to some PTI leaders, who were part of the last night deliberations, majority of the committee members were in favour of calling off the November 24 protest march in the light of the IHC decision.

They were of the view that dialogue with the government should be given a chance. It was decided by the PTI’s political committee to present this option (of calling off the protest call and giving dialogue a chance) to the jailed party’s founder chairman Imran Khan for a decision by him.

Following the political committee’s recommendation, a delegation of PTI leaders went to Adiala Jail to meet Imran but they could not meet their leader. Later, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur convened a meeting of party leaders in Peshawar to discuss the issue of protest march.

PTI leader and KP CM’s Adviser Barrister Saif, when approached, said that although he is not member of the political committee, there is discussion within the party to challenge the IHC decision.

On the issue of serious controversy generated by Bushra Bibi’s video statement regarding Saudi Arabia, party sources said, majority of the political committee members were unhappy and spoke against it.

However, they could not decide to publicly reject Bushra’s statement. Some of the leaders suggested that the PTI should distance itself from Bushra’s statement and let her defend herself. However, it could not be decided.

Originally published in The News