Protest dies, confrontation lives.

ISLAMABAD: The “Do or Die” protest started by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) died suddenly in the federal capital on Wednesday morning when Bushra Bibi, wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, protested. Decided to end. Protests and retreats in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after being overwhelmed by tear gas shelling by Rangers and security forces

The action temporarily eased the unrest but did not resolve the ongoing conflict since 2018. Failure to recognize the central role of political institutions in decision-making is a fundamental problem.

On 24 November, the PTI launched a protest march from KP, ostensibly to secure Khan’s release from jail. However, the protest neither led to his release nor did it contain the so-called central role of the establishment in the country.

These hopes were based on a misinterpretation and miscalculation of the situation, believing that the power of the establishment could be reduced through direct confrontation or through an unorganized protest. Bushra’s sudden decision dashed such hopes.

PTI workers were trying to move a small container towards D Chowk in Blue Area around 8 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday night when Islamabad Police and Rangers suddenly started shelling them. The workers left the container and joined the convoy of Ali Amin Gandapur at a distance of 100 yards.

Meanwhile, the container was left unprotected for an hour before some unknown persons set it on fire in what appears to be a minor incident. The incident later played a key role in the decision by the de facto leader of PTI to call off the protest.

Bushra had to live in a container that would protect her from police and Rangers fire, allowing her to comfortably lead the protesters from inside.

Responsible sources say that around 11:30 pm, the Islamabad police were instructed to leave the protest site and be ready for arrests.

Earlier, street lights were already turned off in the Blue Area, the center of the protest, and markets around the protest site were closed. The police quickly reached their designated places and at 11:45 pm, the Rangers and security forces started the operation.

The federal government had already called the army under Article 245 of the Constitution between November 24 and 25. Shelling by Rangers and security forces initially dispersed the PTI workers.

Bushra, who was in a protected vehicle, was so alarmed by the shelling that she decided to return to KP immediately. One of the main reasons for this could be the loss of the safe container in which it was supposed to go.

When Bushra announced his return from the vehicle, an eyewitness told this reporter that about 30 Pashtuns were clinging to his vehicle, pleading with him to protect him with their lives. However, Bushra did not listen to their requests. She had entered Islamabad the night before with her supporters – estimated to number 35,000 – from KP.

More than 90% of his convoy was from KP, and he addressed only Pashtuns in his speeches, encouraging them to “make the protest a success till the last breath because Pashtuns are honorable people.”

People in KP were already fed up with attacks by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorist outfits and held the establishment accountable (rightly or wrongly) for them.

In this context, Bushra’s call and Khan’s charismatic appeal were no less than an inspiration for him. Surprisingly, there was no positive response from the people of Punjab or Rawalpindi to Bushra’s call. Also, participation from KP alone is likely to remain a problem for Islamabad in the coming days.

In response to Bushra’s call for protests for Khan’s release, party leaders were so confident that they believed it would happen within 24 hours of Bushra’s arrival at D Chowk.

They expected a flood of supporters to join them, forcing the government and the establishment to negotiate on their terms, thereby freeing Khan, restoring the stolen mandate, and replacing the 26th constitutional amendment. Problems like doing will be solved.

One of the reasons for this confidence was that PTI had held protests not only in Islamabad but also in America. Earlier statements by various members of the US Congress and US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller underscored the sense of optimism.

Bushra’s participation in the protest was initially kept under wraps, but when she came forward, she was not listened to by anyone, not even KP Chief Minister Gandapur, who managed the protest in an orderly and careful manner. Wanted to move on.

So far this reporter has confirmed the death of around five people, with separate reports confirming the martyrdom of three Rangers, one FC and one policeman in the protest.

Around 816 people were arrested from different places during the protests of the last two days.

A quick end to this crisis does not mean that the underlying conflict facing the state has been resolved. Establishment of effective democracy and stability, and complete elimination of terrorism are two of the most important issues for the state.

PTI may not visit Islamabad again in near future, but God forbid, in any event, any awami movement can take advantage of these issues and once again, including Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Islamabad. can come back

Originally published. The News