Nov 24 Protest
ISLAMABAD: Several senior leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have expressed dissatisfaction with the announcement of a protest date—November 24—set by the jailed founding chairman of the party, Imran Khan.
The date was made public by Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, and his lawyer after they visited him at Adiala Jail. However, this decision has caused internal unrest among key members of the party.
Following the announcement, senior PTI leaders reportedly contacted each other to discuss the situation. According to party insiders, many of them were not in favor of the decision and expressed concerns over the timing and logistics of the planned protest.
In the next few days, they intend to raise the issue again with Imran Khan and attempt to persuade him to reconsider or call off the protest altogether.
“We will make another effort,” said a senior PTI leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity. The leader indicated that Khan would be advised to cancel the protest, citing various concerns.
The leaders who are against the protest are not minor figures within the party; they hold significant positions and influence. Despite some of these figures being vocal in public, they are known for being more measured in internal discussions.
However, they fear that revealing their identities could lead to backlash from PTI’s social media supporters, who have been known to aggressively defend Khan’s decisions.
Sources within PTI suggested that Khan may not be receiving the best advice, especially regarding the November 24 protest. They argued that the protest date was set too soon and that such a major event required more careful planning, especially given the logistical and security challenges involved.
A sit-in at D-Chowk in Islamabad, even if attended by a modest number of supporters, would need significant arrangements for food, sanitation, and safety. These logistical issues, compounded by tight security measures in the area, make organizing such a protest extremely difficult.
Additionally, some within the party fear that the protest could have unintended consequences. One source mentioned that the protest could risk the re-arrest of Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and might even prolong Imran Khan’s own imprisonment.
They noted that Khan has already received relief in multiple legal cases, and even in the event of a conviction in the £190 million case, there is hope for further relief from higher courts in the coming months.
“It’s the last case against Khan and Bushra Bibi, and despite our grievances with the judiciary, courts have been giving us relief,” said one party insider. They emphasized the need for careful consideration of the protest’s potential consequences, particularly since Khan’s legal situation appears to be improving.
One PTI leader expressed regret that Imran Khan had not been approached by the Establishment, believing that if such contact had been made, the protest might not have been necessary.
Meanwhile, Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, stated that the November 24 protest would be a “final call” for an anti-government demonstration, with PTI’s entire leadership expected to participate. The protest is planned not only for Islamabad but also across Pakistan and in international locations where PTI supporters reside.
The announcement of the protest has raised concerns within the party, as some leaders believe that without proper planning, the move could backfire. Despite their internal reservations, they hope to convince Khan to rethink the protest date before it leads to further complications for the party.
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