Bushra Bibi
Tensions within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have escalated following directives from incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, in preparation for the party’s November 24 protest.
During a meeting with Peshawar region officials, Bibi issued what many have described as “nearly impossible tasks” for PTI leadership, creating anxiety among party members.
The meeting, which took place in Peshawar, was presided over by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and aimed at assessing the preparations for the upcoming protest in Islamabad.
Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated, has called on his supporters to march to Islamabad on November 24 in a bid for the “restoration” of democracy and judiciary. His call has been met with criticism from the ruling coalition, who accuse PTI of stirring unrest in the country.
In response to the government’s actions, including the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment, Khan has set forth four demands that PTI leadership believes are justified, according to former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
Bushra Bibi’s directives, however, have caused concern among PTI officials. She instructed provincial assembly members to bring along 5,000 supporters each, with parliamentarians being responsible for organizing transportation and food for the activists.
Additionally, Bibi mandated that lawmakers record videos of all vehicles in their convoys, ensuring proper documentation for the event. She emphasized the importance of all workers reaching Islamabad’s D-Chowk and declared that this would be the final protest aimed at securing her husband’s release.
Bibi’s tough stance also included a reprimand for party officials, expressing her dissatisfaction with the lackluster participation in the previous protest.
She pointed out that many members had only attended to mark their presence and had left early with their supporters. This time, she insisted, such behavior would not be tolerated, and strict action would be taken against those who failed to comply with her instructions.
PTI’s Information Secretary, Sheikh Waqas Akram, clarified that Bibi was primarily advocating for her husband’s release, though some of her orders have led to unrest within the party.
During the meeting, KP CM Gandapur assured that people from various regions would arrive in separate convoys, with the provincial government covering expenses.
However, there were concerns among KP Assembly lawmakers regarding the feasibility of mobilizing such a large number of supporters and the difficulty in coordinating 10,000 workers per MNA.
Bushra Bibi also delivered a clear message to Gandapur, warning him that failure to meet her expectations would result in his removal as the Chief Minister.
In addition to her meetings with regional officials, she also met with youth and student leaders from the Insaf Students Federation, stressing that Khan had high expectations for the younger generation and urging them to mobilize for the November protest.
Despite the internal challenges, Bibi’s directives have set the stage for a high-pressure environment leading up to the November 24 protest, with PTI officials caught between the demands of the former first lady and the logistical challenges of organizing such a large-scale event.
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