Hafizullah Niazi Says State May Be Behind Every Protest, Warns PTI’s September 27 Call Could Fail
ISLAMABAD: Political analyst Hafizullah Niazi has claimed that the state is always involved behind protests, warning that failed protest calls could further increase the difficulties faced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan.
In a statement posted on X, Niazi said he feared that PTI’s planned long march on September 27 could meet the same fate as the party’s previous protests and ultimately benefit Khan’s opponents.
He argued that repeated protest calls, after generating hype for several weeks without achieving the desired results, could deepen disappointment among Imran Khan’s workers, supporters and sympathisers.
According to Niazi, failed protests weaken a political party’s confidence, enthusiasm and bargaining power. He said the September 27 protest call did not fit into his understanding of the current political situation and could temporarily reduce PTI’s organisational strength.
مجھے خدشہ ہے کہ پی ٹی آئی کا 27ستمبر کا لانگ مارچ پی ٹی آئی کے جملہ تمام احتیجاجوں کی طرح عمران خان کے دشمنوں کے وارے میں ہے۔ PTI کےپچھلے احتیجاجوں کی طرح یہ احتیجاج بھی ناکام رہنا ہے کہ ایسی کالز "بھائی لوگوں" کے وارے نیارے میں ہے ،زمانہ قدیم سے آزمودہ فارمولا کہ جند ہفتے…
— Hafeezullah K Niazi (@hafeezullah_k) September 2, 2026
“I am a suspicious person, and I always see the state’s hand behind every protest,” Niazi said, adding that those who issue protest calls may be used by the state either deliberately or unintentionally.
He maintained that unsuccessful protests ultimately strengthen the state’s political position while increasing frustration among party workers and supporters.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi appealed to the people of Sindh to participate in a street movement scheduled to begin on September 3.
In a special message, the chief minister said he would visit Sindh from September 3 to 7 and lead the street movement in different areas to mobilise public support for the September 27 protest.
He urged the people of Sindh to participate actively in the campaign and play their role in making the September 27 struggle successful.
Afridi also asked PTI workers to remain in contact with their organisational office-bearers and ensure their full participation in the campaign.
