Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Saif has announced that the party plans to extend an invitation to the Indian Foreign Minister (FM) to address their upcoming protest in Islamabad. The announcement, made on October 5, 2024, has drawn significant attention and controversy, as diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India remain strained.
Barrister Saif revealed that the PTI leadership is considering inviting international figures to speak at the protest, and the inclusion of the Indian FM would serve as a gesture of goodwill towards improving bilateral relations. According to Saif, the protest is aimed at highlighting issues of governance and law and order in the country, and the presence of foreign dignitaries would add weight to the cause.
The protest, scheduled to take place in Islamabad, is expected to draw thousands of PTI supporters from across the country. The party has been vocal in its criticism of the current federal government, accusing it of failing to address critical issues facing the nation. Saif emphasized that the invitation to the Indian FM is part of PTI’s broader strategy to bring attention to Pakistan’s internal political struggles on an international stage.
However, the announcement has also sparked backlash from various political quarters. Critics argue that inviting a high-ranking Indian official to a political protest in Pakistan is highly inappropriate, given the historical tensions between the two nations. Some have accused PTI of using the gesture as a publicity stunt rather than a genuine effort to foster diplomatic ties.
As the protest date approaches, PTI’s plans to invite foreign dignitaries, particularly from India, are likely to generate more debate. The party’s critics argue that such actions could further polarize the political climate in Pakistan, while PTI supporters see it as an innovative approach to garner international attention.