Political tempers simmered down in Pakistan on Tuesday as the Supreme Court moved to form a judicial commission to probe corruption allegations against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.
Opposition leader Imran Khan announced to hold a public meeting instead of locking down the federal capital – a move he had planned to pressure Sharif into presenting himself for accountability in the wake of Panama Papers leaks of his offshore dealings.
“Go home and rest,” Khan, a cricketer-turned politician, who heads Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party told his supporters.
“You have to return to Islamabad tomorrow to celebrate thanksgiving at Parade Ground.”
“I am happy that the investigation into Nawaz Sharif’s [alleged corruption] will begin day after tomorrow.”
The Sharif government launched a severe crackdown on PTI protesters, incurring domestic and international criticism for repressing politial dissent.
Khan had earlier threatened to lay siege to the capital on November 2, and had managed to generate sympathy when it came to its position on the Panama Papers leaks.
The party, though ,was facing difficulty in gathering sizable crowds as the government imposed a controversial Section 144 in Islamabad – a remnant of colonial era which strips people of their right to assembly and demonstration.
In light of this scenario, Supreme Court proceedings the apex court provided the PTI room to withdraw from its earlier claims of laying siege to the capital.
It is being seen as a face-saving opportunity for both the government and the PTI protesters.
The Shaif government has welcomed Imran Khan’s decision of cancelling the massive protests.
PTI officials claim that 383 workers were put behind bars, including more than 100 students. As per police record, around 20 cases are registered against these workers in different police stations of the capital city.
They will be released soon, an interior ministry official said.
PTI Spokesman Naeemul Haq called for release of all detained protesters and said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif should ask the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for forgiveness for the undemocratic treatment meted out to them a day earlier.
Earlier in the day, Imran Khan filed a petition in the Supreme Court against his ‘virtual’ house arrest, the arrest of “thousands” of PTI workers over the past three days, and the alleged manhandling of female PTI activists.
