As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans to launch a fresh protest movement against the incumbent government, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned the former ruling party on Saturday against any agitation ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, ruling out “negotiations or surrender” on matters related to country’s integrity and honour.
“Protests are being carried out to disrupt the Champions Trophy […] there will be no negotiation or surrender on matters related to our integrity, defence, honour and dignity,” the minister said while speaking to journalists in Sialkot.
The remarks came as the embattled PTI held protest demonstrations on Saturday to observe a ‘black day’ against alleged rigging in the general election last year.
In Multan, PTI leaders Meher Bano Qureshi, Zahid Bahar Hashmi, and Dalir Meher were detained by police at Pull Chatta for violating Section 144. Over 10 PTI workers were also arrested for attempting to hold a rally in the area.
Meanwhile, in Muzaffarabad, several PTI workers were detained after attempting to protest at Azadi Chowk, though some managed to flee.
The former ruling party, following the culmination of its negotiations with the government, announced protest rallies against the 2024 polls. The former ruling party, along with other opposition parties, has repeatedly claimed the polls were ‘rigged’, resulting in the alleged theft of its mandate.
