Sanaullah calls for end to protests and long marches in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that peaceful protest is a constitutional and legal right, but political parties should not hold demonstrations or long marches in Islamabad.

Speaking in a televised programme on Saturday, Sanaullah said political parties could stage protests in other cities but argued that demonstrations in the federal capital should be avoided. He said the practice of bringing long marches to Islamabad needed to end.

His remarks came as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had been preparing for a nationwide protest and march towards the capital to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan. The party has now postponed the planned march until October 4.

Jamaat-e-Islami had also planned a march towards Islamabad against the petroleum levy. The party postponed the protest after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested more time for talks.

Sanaullah said restrictions on demonstrations in Islamabad were not specifically aimed at PTI. He pointed to the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, under which gatherings in the capital require prior permission.

He maintained that peaceful demonstrations were a legal right but said authorities would not allow protesters to move towards sensitive areas or attack law-enforcement personnel. He also referred to the presence of foreign diplomats in Islamabad and said protests in the capital could create an undesirable situation.

The PML-N leader accused PTI of seeking to pressure the government and attempting to reach Imran Khan at Adiala jail. He questioned whether a march involving attempts to breach security barriers could be considered peaceful.

Sanaullah said permission for a long march would not be granted if authorities believed its objective was to use force or enter restricted areas. He advised PTI to approach the Islamabad High Court and provide the necessary assurances if it wanted to hold a gathering.

He also rejected reports that Islamabad’s roads had been completely blocked. According to him, containers had been positioned at various points so they could be used if required, while roads outside restricted areas remained open.

The adviser said PTI had not submitted a formal request to the Islamabad administration for permission to hold a gathering or provided details about its timing and duration.

He also referred to the Islamabad High Court’s September 14 ruling, which stated that political parties and their leadership did not have a lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas or government buildings in the capital.

Meanwhile, security preparations remain in place in Islamabad and Rawalpindi despite the postponement of the PTI march.

Punjab has imposed restrictions on gatherings across the province until October 5. Section 144 has also been enforced in Islamabad for two months.

The federal government has approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several Punjab districts from September 20 to October 5 as part of security arrangements.