Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has decided to postpone the party’s planned protest movement for two weeks with reference to prevailing regional tensions and the evolving international situation in the midst of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

The message was made by PTI leader Noreen Khanum after her meeting with the imprisoned former Prime Minister of Adiala Prison on Tuesday, Express News reported.

In a speech with journalists outside the prison, she said Khan had made the decision to see the “sensitive regional circumstances” and the ongoing development in the Middle East. “We are awaiting political statements from the Prime Minister, the President and Field Marshal before continuing,” Khanum said.

She added that although Khan had not met anyone over the past week, he remained aware of global affairs and thought the situation would have direct consequences for Pakistan. “The PTI founder has called for national entity in this critical time,” she said.

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In comment on the federal budget, Khan allegedly described it as a tailor made to the elite. “The burden of taxation is completely placed on that grade while the poor continue to suffer. Poverty rises and the economic situation worsens,” she quoted him.

Khanum also said that more than 3.3 million educated persons had left Pakistan for the past three years, each of which took an estimated $ 30,000 with them – which contributed to a significant outflow of foreign currency.

With regard to the Khyberpakhtunkhwa (KP) budget, she said it would only be completed after consultations with key party figures. “Ali Amin Gandapur, Taimur Jhagra, Muzzammil Aslam and Shibli Faraz will meet Khan before the budget is adopted,” she added.

When he spoke to the occasion, PTI leader Uzma Khan said Khan had called on the nation to focus on unity and remain steadfast, while clarifying that Gandapur had not distanced himself from the protest movement and that PTI supporters would continue to raise their votes globally.

“Imran Khan has not withdrawn support for the protest – in fact he laughed at the proposal,” she said, adding that Khan’s attitude to the situation in Gaza was already well known.

Uzma also criticized political leaders for staying silent during periods of regional conflict. “Zardari, Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz did not speak during the India-Pakistan war. Now the current rulers-with a mandate of only 17 seats-clear their attitude. That’s their responsibility,” she said. “We are also waiting to hear from the real decision makers,” she added.