The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is grappling with internal conflicts and external pressures after the recent protest in Islamabad. According to Bushra Bibi’s spokesperson, the party’s founder will hold the leadership accountable for the demonstration that failed to secure his release from prison.
“She [Bushra] went to D-Chowk following Khan’s instructions, but the party leaders were missing. Whatever happened, Khan sahib will ensure accountability,” stated Mashal Yousafzai on X, formerly Twitter.
Yousafzai also clarified that the former first lady neither participated in nor led the political committee meeting. Her statement comes amidst backlash over the abrupt end of the protest after the authorities cracked down on party workers. The demonstration, which aimed to free Khan after more than a year in jail, has raised questions within PTI. A key issue is the shift from holding a rally at Sangjani to gathering at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur have faced strong criticism for choosing D-Chowk over Sangjani. Party leaders have issued conflicting statements about the decision. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif claimed Khan initially approved the Sangjani plan, but Bushra rejected it. Meanwhile, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat stated that Khan refused to accept the government’s proposal for Sangjani.
The protest ended with nearly 1,000 supporters detained. This sparked calls for an internal investigation. The turmoil has already led to resignations. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja stepped down, followed by Sunni Ittehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, who quit both the political and core committees.
Beyond internal disputes, PTI now faces external threats. The federal government is considering imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A resolution passed by the Balochistan Assembly accuses PTI of pursuing an anarchist agenda. In Punjab, a similar resolution was submitted by PML-N leader Rana Muhammad Fayyaz. It calls PTI a “disruptive group” and demands strict action against the party.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, revealed that the federal cabinet discussed the possibility of governor’s rule in KP. However, no final decision has been made. “Opinions were divided, and the matter requires further deliberation,” he stated during a media briefing.
The PTI protest has not only deepened internal divisions but also heightened the party’s political challenges. Whether the leadership can navigate these crises remains uncertain.
