ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat has made it clear that party workers will not respond to the call for protest issued by Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, or his sisters. Marwat emphasized that they will only act on instructions from Imran Khan himself.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Marwat shared his desire to play a role in the upcoming protest in Islamabad but also expressed frustration over not being invited to a recent meeting in Peshawar. Despite this, he claimed to have learned that the meeting had included discussions about him.
Imran Khan’s Protest Call for November 24
The remarks by Sher Afzal Marwat followed an announcement by Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, and his lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, who revealed that the imprisoned former prime minister had called for a nationwide protest in Islamabad on November 24. This call has raised concerns within PTI, with several party leaders fearing that it could backfire.
PTI has been locked in a long-standing political struggle with the current ruling coalition, which the party accuses of coming to power fraudulently. Over the past months, PTI has held several protests in the federal capital, with failed results.
Tensions and Setbacks from Previous Protests
PTI’s efforts to organize protests in Islamabad have often been met with government crackdowns. In September, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and several lawmakers were arrested under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill following a rally in the capital.
A subsequent march to Islamabad in October saw a raid by Islamabad police on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) House. The situation escalated further when KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur went “incommunicado.” These events have raised doubts among PTI leaders about the success of any future protests.
Organizational Challenges and Concerns Over Strategy
Sher Afzal Marwat, reflecting on PTI’s organizational challenges, pointed out that the party needed to finalize its protest strategy within the next two days. He warned that failure to do so could make it difficult to stage a full-scale sit-in at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
Marwat noted that party supporters from KP would attend the protest, but he questioned how they would maintain their ground at key locations in Islamabad. His concerns were echoed by PTI sources, who indicated that many senior leaders, particularly those who had previously served in parliament or the KP government, were not supportive of the protest call.
Risk of Backlash and More Challenges
PTI sources further suggested that holding a large-scale protest could lead to significant problems for the party. The government is unlikely to allow such a demonstration, and there are fears that state power might be used to prevent it. This could result in more arrests and additional legal cases against PTI leaders and workers.
Marwat’s skepticism is rooted in the party’s long-standing struggles with legal and political challenges. The PTI has faced various controversies, and the latest one involves reports suggesting that Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has formally entered politics. She is said to have issued instructions to PTI leaders and even called for a meeting, further complicating the party’s internal dynamics.
Uncertainty Surrounds PTI’s Next Steps
As the PTI prepares for its November 24 protest, uncertainty looms over the party’s internal divisions and its ability to mobilize effectively. With concerns about strategy, the risk of government intervention, and the growing influence of Bushra Bibi, it remains to be seen how PTI will navigate its political challenges in the coming weeks.
