LAHORE:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Punjab chapter continues to disappoint its leadership as well as its ally, the Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), over its inability to effectively mobilise workers and sustain protest activity across the province.
Party insiders and alliance leaders say the provincial chapter has repeatedly fallen short of expectations, particularly on calls for demonstrations related to PTI founder Imran Khan’s incarceration and concerns regarding his treatment in prison.
A senior party office-bearer said PTI lawmakers should reconsider their positions if they feel unable to withstand political pressure or actively participate in the party’s struggle.
“Party MPAs should quit if they feel they cannot sustain the pressure of fighting for Imran Khan,” the official said, arguing that PTI’s elected representatives owed their political standing to the party founder.
The office-bearer maintained that despite repeated calls for demonstrations against the continued denial of access to Imran Khan and concerns over his treatment in jail, many lawmakers have remained absent from political activity.
“PTI’s MPAs, MNAs and senators are in the assemblies solely because of Imran Khan, yet when the call comes to protest the state’s continued denial of access to him or his mistreatment in jail, these people are nowhere to be seen. From minimal protests to token protests, and now only TikTok-style protest demonstrations, their commitment to the party and its cause seems to have dissipated. Under the existing circumstances, there is not much the party can do against them, other than trying to awaken them to their responsibilities.”
Referring to demonstrations held across Punjab on May 22, before Eid, the party official said the response was underwhelming and reflective of a broader organisational weakness.
According to the official, only a small number of participants gathered in Lahore, largely under the banner of TTAP, despite PTI having secured the largest vote share in the general elections.
“Remaining activities, projected as protests, were merely social media stunts,” he claimed.
The official said the party’s attention had now shifted towards the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and, subsequently, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, but questioned the political value of those contests under current circumstances.
“The focus in PTI leadership ranks now has moved to G-B and then to Kashmir elections, where instances of pre-poll rigging are already widespread. What are we planning to get out of these elections?” he asked.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain also expressed dissatisfaction with PTI Punjab’s performance, saying the party was not operating at its full capacity.
He added that TTAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai had consistently urged Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa leaders to take the lead in political mobilisation, but stressed that meaningful pressure could not be built without Punjab playing a more active role.
When contacted regarding future protest plans, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram confirmed that the party had shifted its immediate focus towards the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections. Given his ongoing engagements, Akram declined to offer further comments.
Senior PTI lawmakers in Punjab were not available for comment.
