PTI top brass mulls canceling Nov 24 protest: report

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political committee held discussions last night over the controversy regarding Bushra Bibi's video statement and following the Islamabad High Court's ban on protest in the federal over the weekend.

According to PTI leaders involved in the talks, most committee members favored canceling the protest and allowing negotiations with the government to proceed. 

A proposal was meant to be presented to Imran Khan for a final decision. 

A group of PTI leaders visited Adiala Jail to discuss the matters regarding the protest but the meeting could not take place. 

Subsequently,Chief Minister KP, Ali Amin Gandapur discussed the matter with several party leaders  in Peshawar.

Barrister Saif, advisor to PTI's Ali Amin Gandapur, confirmed that discussions were underway within the party to challenge the court's decision, though he is not a member of the political committee.

Regarding the controversy surrounding Bushra Bibi's video statement about Saudi Arabia, party sources revealed that many committee members were unhappy with her remarks but chose not to publicly reject them. 

Most of the party memerbs opined to let bushra bibi handle the controversy regarding her statement herself.

Meanwhile, the military establishment clarified its position, denying involvement in any behind-the-scenes contacts between PTI and the government. 

A source close to the establishment emphasised that the army is not involved in political negotiations and has no role in political party discussions.

 The source reiterated the army’s apolitical stance, recalling the statement made by DG ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif in May, which stressed that any talks should be conducted between political parties and not involve the military.