PTI 24th November March to Islamabad: No turning back this time, says Gandapur

Babar Khan November 15, 2024

As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan announced his “final call” for a protest in Islamabad on November 24, the movement has ignited both fervor among supporters and division within party ranks. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur declared that the march would continue until PTI’s demands are met, asserting, “This time, there will be no turning back.”

The planned demonstration, described as a “do-or-die” protest by Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, is set to address grievances around the alleged “stolen mandate” following the February 8 elections, the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment, and the release of PTI workers imprisoned without trial. Aleema, speaking to reporters in Rawalpindi, framed the protest as a choice for Pakistanis between “freedom and martial law,” calling upon citizens from various sectors, including farmers, lawyers, students, and civil society, to join in.

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Imran’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, highlighted that the protest would extend beyond Islamabad, with PTI supporters staging demonstrations nationwide and internationally. He also noted that Imran Khan had created a committee to manage the march, with its members remaining anonymous to avoid arrests, a sign of the tense political atmosphere surrounding the protest. This committee, according to Chaudhry, will hold the authority to make decisions regarding the protest’s duration and potential end, ensuring no single leader holds unchecked control.

Despite these declarations, PTI’s leadership is divided. Senior party figures, particularly those within parliament and KPK government, fear the protest may backfire. PTI insiders revealed that many party leaders believe the protest could lead to increased arrests, legal challenges, and heightened government resistance, ultimately damaging PTI’s standing. These leaders argue that Imran’s continued imprisonment might be more effectively addressed through legal channels, as the court system has previously provided him relief in several cases.

However, some of PTI’s core supporters and members of the party’s second tier remain resolute. According to PTI Secretary Information Waqas Shaikh, the party’s grassroots are eager for a decisive protest date, with many convinced that this direct action is necessary despite the associated risks. He added that the party will follow Imran Khan’s call for the November 24 protest regardless of internal disagreements over preparedness.

Meanwhile, government officials have warned of potential consequences. Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah stated that PTI’s “do-or-die” approach could prompt a strict crackdown. Speaking on Geo News, he criticized PTI’s tactics, asserting that any group threatening to march with symbolic shrouds should expect a firm response from the state. Sanaullah also warned that Imran Khan’s persistent “will-not-spare-anyone” stance had created difficulties for both PTI and the country.

Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail following his August 2023 arrest and subsequent conviction in the Toshakhana case, faces multiple legal challenges, including the £190 million reference and the expanded Toshakhana case. The former Prime Minister, held under high security with B-class facilities due to his previous office, has been the focal point of PTI’s recent protests, with supporters demanding his release and the restoration of their electoral mandate.