PTI is facing internal rift over 5 August -Protest plans

Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) is struggling with internal departments over the timeline and strategy for a nationwide protest aimed at ensuring the release of his imprisoned founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The disagreement, primarily between the party’s central leadership and its Punjab chapter, has escalated tensions as the proposed date of protest is approaching August 5, marking two years since KHAN’s prison.

The central management-inclusive President of Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur-Has Purified a 90-day campaign that culminates with a decisive protest, and emphasizes a strategic structure to maximize the impact.

Gandapur, who spoke at a Lahore press conference on July 13, described the movement as a “do-or-die” effort to challenge what PTI calls a “fascist regime” and to ensure Khan’s release.

Read more: Aleema Khan welcomes PTI -Parliamentarians’ Unit at the Lahore Meeting

He emphasized that the campaign would involve mobilization of supporters across any district and tehsil and topped before August 5, after which a new phase would be announced.

In contrast, PTI Punjab chief organizer Aliya Hamza Malik firmly supported an immediate protest on August 5, adapting a call attributed to Imran Khan via his sister, Aleema Khan.

Malik has reportedly threatened to resign if the party differs from this date and highlights a lack of coordination with central leadership.

Sources indicate that Malik has already directed Punjab’s party organization to prepare for August 5 and mobilize workers in districts such as Okara, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Faisalabad and Chiniot.

Rift was public when Malik, excluded from a key strategy meeting in Lahore, expressed her frustration over X.

In a number of positions, she asked the origin of the 90-day plan and sought clarity about the goals of the movement and said, “Focus and goals are only the release of Imran Khan.”

Her absence from the meeting – which included Gandapur, PTI -General Salman Salman Akram Raja and Punjab Assembly – opposition leader Malik Ahmad Bhachar – was dismissed by Raja who, due to “other obligations,” a claim Malik returned sarcastic, and noted that she was not unaware of her presumed busyness.

However, Aleema Khan, who spoke to the media, greeted the Lahore collection as a sign of unity among PTI parliamentarians, but expressed ignorance of Malik’s exclusion and said, “We were told that this was a meeting with parliamentarians.”

She confirmed Imran Khan’s call for protests to reach August 5 and noted that his entire family, including his British sons, would attend.

Barrister Gohar has tried to cushion the discrepancy and encourage leaders to tackle concerns through internal party channels rather than public forums. “If any leader has a complaint, they must inform me directly,” he said, promising to escalate questions to Imran Khan.

However, the public spat has raised concerns about PTI’s cohesion at a critical time when some analysts suggest that it reflects deeper issues of centralization and trust within the party.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government, led by chief minister Maryam Nawaz, has signaled a firm attitude towards potential turmoil.

Provincial Minister of Information Azma Bukhari recognized the right to peaceful protest, but accused PTI of a history of violence referring to May 9, 2023, events. “No political party is allowed to attack with weapons,” Bukhari said, warning that disturbing tactics would be met with strict action.

When PTI navigates in these internal challenges, the party also faces external pressure, including a government’s crash after previous protests.

Protest “Protesta in November 2024 in Islamabad – led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi and Gandapur – resulted in at least six deaths, including four security staff, and nearly 1,000 arrests, according to independent reports.

Amnesty International has called for a transparent study of the use of fatal force during these clashes, highlighting a pattern of intolerance for peaceful assembly in Pakistan.

With the August 5th period threatening, PTI’s ability to unite its leadership and mobilize supporters will be critical of the success of his campaign.

The ongoing rift risks that undermine the party’s momentum, which potentially weakens its attitude towards a government already fortified by security measures and lawsuits against PTI members.