By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
In a significant and unusual day in Pakistan’s political history, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) organized a large-scale protest to pressure the government, which ultimately failed. Despite a significant turnout of workers, weaknesses in leadership, governmental restrictions, and internal divisions prevented the protest from achieving its desired success.
Background and Objectives of the Protest
PTI Chairman Imran Khan had called for a “final push” after his arrest, aiming to exert pressure on the government and the establishment for political change in the country. Thousands of supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reached Islamabad, but participation from Punjab and Sindh was minimal. This protest was seen as a major test for PTI’s survival and Imran Khan’s political strategy.
Reasons for Failure
1. Weak and Divided Leadership
PTI’s central leadership appeared inactive during the protest. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur led the demonstration but was not fully committed to the workers. He was even seen trying to leave the protest midway, demoralizing supporters.
Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan’s wife, gave emotional speeches, but she failed to restore confidence among workers. Her statement, “I won’t leave D-Chowk without Imran Khan,” initially inspired participants, but the leadership’s lack of resolve left workers further confused.
2. Government’s Actions
The government took strict measures to thwart the protest. Key routes in Punjab and Islamabad were blocked with containers, motorways were sealed, and tear gas was used on protesters. Thousands of PTI workers were arrested in Punjab, significantly limiting the number of participants, though large crowds from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa managed to gather.
3. Lack of Participation from Punjab and Sindh
Punjab, previously considered PTI’s stronghold, failed to contribute significantly. According to Shaukat Basra, roadblocks and police checkpoints in various cities deterred workers from joining. Similarly, outside Karachi, participation from other parts of Sindh was negligible.
4. International Pressure and Ineffective Strategy
The protest attracted international media attention, and observers urged peaceful dialogue. The US State Department and the United Nations issued calls for calm, but these statements had little impact on protesters. Although the government faced considerable international pressure, it managed to maintain control over the situation.
Outcomes and Implications
1. Political Damage
The protest’s failure dealt a political blow to PTI. A large number of workers returned home without achieving any demands, a major setback for the party leadership.
2. Strengthening of the Government’s Position
The government demonstrated its ability to suppress political uprisings and sent a clear message that it was prepared to face any dissent.
3. Military Involvement
Under Article 245, the military was deployed in Islamabad, adding further challenges for the protesters. Despite using full force, the government appeared weak in its messaging, backtracking on statements as it struggled to control the massive crowds.
4. International Reaction
The US and the UN emphasized the importance of upholding human rights and democratic principles in Pakistan, but these were largely symbolic statements. However, they hinted at the potential for the situation to spiral out of control.
What Lies Ahead?
For PTI, this is a moment of introspection. The leadership must rethink its strategies and rebuild the confidence of its supporters. In the coming days, political tensions may escalate further, particularly if legal proceedings against Imran Khan intensify.
It is now evident that Pakistan’s political landscape remains dominated by the military and establishment. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have historically thrived under the establishment’s support and currently enjoy its full backing. In contrast, PTI, despite its widespread public popularity and considerable grassroots support, is facing opposition from powerful quarters. Notably, PTI itself rose to power in the past with the establishment’s assistance but has failed to sustain its position due to internal weaknesses and shifting dynamics.
The military’s direct or indirect involvement in politics has consistently undermined the democratic process, leaving it disconnected from public aspirations. This has created an unbalanced political environment where PTI struggles to find its footing against a backdrop of strong opposition.
Ultimately, this protest serves as a lesson for PTI: emotional slogans and disorganized leadership cannot drive a successful political movement. If PTI does not revise its strategies, it risks further political decline in the future.
Watch this video of PTI workers and draw your own conclusions.
