Differences regarding the protest movement and organizational strategy have always been prominent in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI), while some central leaders of the party prioritize continuous political and legal struggle, many leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Imran Khan’s close circles seem to favor an immediate and vigorous protest movement.
Party Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has made it clear in a conversation that Imran Khan’s release is not possible by just a one-day sit-in, protest, or gathering a crowd of people at some place. According to him, Imran Khan’s release will be possible only as a result of a long political, constitutional, and legal struggle. Salman Akram Raja stressed that the party must adopt a systematic political strategy instead of emotional slogans.
Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is also considered to be a proponent of a relatively cautious political approach. He has on several occasions spoken of avoiding confrontation and adopting a negotiated and political path. According to sources, a section of the party’s central leadership believes that repeated calls for protests are causing fatigue among workers while also increasing state pressure.
The party’s provincial president for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Junaid Akbar Khan, has also stressed on organizational stability, worker preparation and a phased political strategy. His close circle says that he is not completely opposed to the protests, but he is in favor of a coordinated political strategy instead of an unorganized or emotional movement. He says that only workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa protest and are arrested, so workers from Punjab should also come forward.
On the other hand, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and hardliners in the party are in favor of continuous protest politics. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi is in favor of a full-scale protest for the release of Imran Khan. He also held a big protest near Tarnol a few days ago. Earlier, he had also announced the formation of a street movement and an ‘Imran Khan Riha Force’ for the release of Imran Khan.
Former Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has repeatedly announced that it is inevitable to take to the streets for Imran Khan’s release. He said in various rallies and press conferences that if party workers remain at home, Imran Khan will not get justice. According to him, reactivating the ‘true freedom’ movement is the need of the hour and party workers should be ready for every call.
He has supported marches towards Islamabad, nationwide protests and sit-ins on several occasions and said that every attempt to increase pressure on the PTI will be responded to with public power. Ali Amin Gandapur has also said that the protest movement will continue until Imran Khan’s release and the party will not back down under any circumstances.
Aleema Khan is also considered prominent in the party’s wing that considers protest politics an effective tool. She has supported mobilizing workers, participating in protests and sit-ins on several occasions. According to some circles in the party, Aleema Khan has consistently maintained that a full-scale public movement is essential for Imran Khan’s release and that workers should take to the streets.
Member of National Assembly Shahid Khattak, provincial cabinet member Meena Khan Afridi and party leader Shafiq Jan have also consistently supported the protest movement and increasing public pressure. They say that as long as Imran Khan is in jail, workers and leaders should not sit at home.
According to political analysts, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf currently seems to be standing between two different political narratives. On one side is the leadership that believes in legal and political struggle and a gradual strategy, while on the other side are those leaders who consider immediate public protests, sit-ins and continuous movement to be the only effective means for Imran Khan’s release and increasing political pressure.
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