PTI Protests Lack Leadership and Attendance in Major Cities

On Friday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party organized protests across various cities in the country, including Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Quetta, and Rawalpindi. These demonstrations were aimed at demanding the release of their leader, Imran Khan, and opposing proposed constitutional amendments. However, the response to these protests was notably lackluster, with many gatherings appearing disorganized and poorly attended.

The situation in Punjab was particularly challenging for PTI supporters. The provincial government had imposed a ban on all gatherings for two days, enforcing Section 144, which restricts public assembly. As a result, many central party leaders chose to stay away from the protests, leading to a significant absence of leadership during these events. In Lahore, for instance, a protest was initially scheduled to take place at Liberty Chowk at 2 PM. However, police presence was already evident at the site, with prison vans stationed there before the protesters even arrived.

At around 2:30 PM, Hammad Azhar, the acting president of PTI Punjab, announced a last-minute change of venue to GPO Chowk on The Mall. This last-minute adjustment was a strategic move to evade police interference. Despite these efforts, the demonstration at GPO Chowk was sparse, with only a few participants led by Zaheer Abbas Khokhar and Hammad Awan. During this protest, two women leaders, Tanzeela Imran and Ghazala Rafique, were arrested, and their whereabouts remained unknown as they were not taken to any police station in Lahore.

In Vehari, another incident occurred when Tahir Iqbal Chaudhry, PTI’s candidate for the National Assembly, was apprehended by plainclothes officers after Juma prayers. Additionally, PTI workers organized flash protests and motorcycle rallies in various cities, although the central leadership's absence was felt throughout these events. Reports indicated that around 20 protests were held in Karachi alone, but the overall turnout was disappointing.

The tepid response to PTI's protests raises questions about the party's current influence and the effectiveness of its strategies in mobilizing supporters. With the government imposing restrictions and the central leadership opting out of participation, it appears that the party is facing significant challenges in rallying its base. As political dynamics continue to evolve in Pakistan, it remains to be seen how PTI will adapt and respond to these obstacles in the future.