PTI street politics has once again taken center stage as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced the creation of an “Imran Khan Release Force,” a move widely seen as another attempt to keep the country under constant political pressure.
The force has been formed to campaign for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 after being convicted in multiple cases. While PTI claims the cases are politically motivated, courts have continued legal proceedings under constitutional and judicial frameworks.
The timing of this announcement reflects PTI street politics accelerating after a medical report submitted to the Supreme Court stated that Imran Khan has lost most of the vision in his right eye. The government has repeatedly maintained that he is receiving proper medical care as per prison rules.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that both PTI leaders and Imran Khan’s own doctors are satisfied with the treatment being provided. He accused family members of turning a medical issue into a political narrative to fuel unrest.
Despite these assurances, PTI street politics moved into a new phase when Sohail Afridi, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announced that he would lead a so-called street movement on the jailed leader’s instructions. Speaking outside the Supreme Court, Afridi alleged that court orders were being ignored, claims that remain unsubstantiated.
He declared that the “Imran Khan Release Force” would be formally registered and described it as a peaceful initiative. However, PTI street politics has a long record of protests that paralyze cities, block roads, and disrupt daily life. Critics argue that this pattern has repeatedly damaged the economy and weakened public trust in democratic processes.
Afridi further said the force would have a strict chain of command and that its members would take an oath in Peshawar after Eid ul Fitr. Preparations, he added, would be completed before any formal launch. Yet, many observers see this as another pressure tactic rather than a constructive political approach.
PTI leaders claim the movement stands for constitutional supremacy, democracy, and press freedom. However, PTI street politics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tells a different story. The province continues to struggle with weak governance, poor service delivery, and stalled development, raising serious questions about the party’s priorities.
Analysts warn that instead of focusing on governance failures in KP, PTI street politics is once again pushing the country toward uncertainty. At a time when Pakistan needs stability, dialogue, and institutional respect, repeated calls for street agitation risk deepening political turmoil rather than resolving it.