Authorities to get “free hand” for crackdown on PTI over “Do-or-Die” protest call, says Sanaullah

Babar Khan November 13, 2024

The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, issued a stern warning on Monday, stating that law enforcement agencies will be given a “free hand” to crack down on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) following the party’s recent “do-or-die” protest call for the release of its founder, Imran Khan.

Speaking on Geo News’ Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, Sanaullah criticized PTI’s call for supporters to march wearing shrouds and hold funeral prayers, asserting that such rhetoric effectively invites state intervention. “When they [PTI] speak about shrouds and funeral prayers, they are giving a free hand to law enforcers to launch a crackdown against them,” Sanaullah remarked, calling for PTI to opt for “democratic and peaceful” protests instead.

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The statement comes in response to PTI’s escalating demands, including the release of Khan and the “restoration of judicial independence,” alongside recent declarations by PTI leaders, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who vowed not to rest until Khan’s release, even if it meant sacrificing their lives.

Sanaullah stressed that the “monopoly on violence” belongs to the state, not to any political group. He questioned whether a march led by protestors symbolizing funerals could be expected to proceed unchallenged. Drawing a contrast, Sanaullah noted that his party, the PML-N, has never called for violent protests or sit-ins. He accused Khan of using a “will-not-spare-anyone” approach, which, he argued, has led to “trouble for both himself and the country.”

Sanaullah also alleged that Khan’s differences with former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa originated when Khan sought to eliminate opposition figures through military influence, a request Bajwa allegedly refused. This refusal, Sanaullah said, spurred Khan to label Bajwa as “Mir Jafar” and “Mir Sadiq,” a reference to historic figures viewed as traitors in South Asian folklore.

PTI’s protest plan includes potential marches on Islamabad, with Gandapur declaring at a recent public gathering in Swabi that PTI supporters “will not return until the release of the PTI founder.” He reinforced the theme of “sacrifice for true freedom,” urging supporters to prepare for a sustained protest.

Khan, who has been behind bars since his August 2023 arrest in the Toshakhana case, is held in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail under better-class facilities due to his status as a former prime minister. He faces multiple charges, including the £190 million reference and additional cases linked to the Toshakhana incident.