ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s “Do or Die” protest suddenly died down in the federal capital on Wednesday (November 27) morning when former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra died. Fed up with the tear gas fired by the BB Rangers and security forces, they decided to end the protest and return to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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 November 24, the PTI began a protest march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ostensibly for the release of Imran Khan from jail. However, this protest neither led to Imran’s 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 Bibi’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 Bibi was to live in a container that would protect her from police and Rangers fire, allowing her to comfortably lead the protestors from within.
Responsible sources say that at around 11:30 pm, the Islamabad police were instructed to leave the protest site and be ready for arrests. Earlier, street lights were already switched off in the Blue Area, the epicenter of the protest, and markets around the protest site were closed. The police quickly reached their designated locations and around 11:45 pm, the Rangers and security forces started the operation.
The federal government had already summoned the army under Article 245 of the Constitution on the night of November 24-25. Shelling by Rangers and security forces initially dispersed the PTI workers. Bushra Bibi, who was in a safe vehicle, was so frightened by the shelling that she immediately decided to return to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. One of the main reasons for this could be the loss of the safe container in which it was supposed to go.
When Bushra Bibi announced her return from the vehicle, an eyewitness told this reporter that about 30 Pashtuns were clinging to her vehicle, pleading with them to protect her with their lives. However, Bushra Bibi did not listen to their requests. She entered Islamabad the night before from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with her supporters – estimated to number 35,000.
More than 90 percent of his convoy was from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and he addressed only Pashtuns in his speeches, encouraging the protest to succeed till the last breath because Pashtuns are honorable people.
People in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were already fed up with attacks by the outlawed TTP and other terrorist outfits and holding the establishment accountable (rightly or wrongly) for them. In this context, Bushra Bibi’s call and Imran 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 Bibi’s call. Also, participation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone is likely to remain the same for Islamabad in the coming days.
In response to Bushra Bibi’s call for protests to release Imran Khan, party leaders were so confident that they believed it would be possible within 24 hours of Bushra Bibi’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, such as the release of Imran Khan, the restoration of the stolen mandate, and the replacement of the 26th constitutional amendment. Problems 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 Bibi’s participation in the protest was initially kept under wraps, but when she came forward, no one listened to her, not even Ali Amin Gandapur, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, who was leading the protest. Wanted to proceed methodically and cautiously.
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, stability and complete elimination of terrorism are the two most important issues for the state. May be PTI will not turn to Islamabad again in near future, but God forbid, in case of any incident any public movement can take advantage of these issues and once again return to Islamabad including Tehreek-e-Insaaf. can come