PTI’s August 5 Protest: Discontent Among Workers as Leadership Faces Criticism

Peshawar: On August 5, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a protest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to mark two years of party founder Imran Khan’s imprisonment. However, the protest lacked the usual enthusiasm that was once synonymous with PTI’s demonstrations.
The protest rally, which began at Hayatabad Toll Plaza in Peshawar, saw a gradual buildup of participants, with fewer workers initially present when PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur arrived. Despite the rally being organized in Imran Khan’s name, the energy was notably absent. Under Gandapur’s leadership, workers took to the streets to make the protest a success, but it was clear that the fervor of previous PTI protests, particularly those led by Imran Khan himself, was missing.
As Gandapur arrived with his official protocol at the rally, some workers started chanting slogans calling for the release of Imran Khan from Adiala Jail. However, instead of engaging with the workers, Gandapur went straight to the container where he began the protest, with the rally’s focus remaining on Imran Khan’s release.
Despite the sweltering heat, PTI supporters, including former provincial minister Taimur Jhagra, walked for six to seven hours from Hayatabad Toll Plaza to GT Road, reaching Qila Bala Hisar. However, the mood shifted when Gandapur, upon reaching near Qila Bala Hisar, left the container and headed back to the Chief Minister’s House, rather than addressing the crowd. This move left workers frustrated, especially as they had been expecting a speech from him and a plan of action for the future.
Protesters, feeling disillusioned, began chanting slogans against Ali Amin Gandapur. One worker, Shams Khan, expressed his disappointment, saying they had left their work to attend the protest but were met with no answers. He criticized Gandapur for not explaining what steps he was taking to secure Imran Khan’s release.
Another worker, Ali Ahmed, shared similar sentiments, stating that PTI leadership had left them feeling disheartened. “Every time we protest, we return without results. It feels like the leadership is not serious about Khan’s release,” he said. He added that Gandapur had avoided engaging with workers in previous protests and seemed detached from the cause.
Zeeshan, another protester, acknowledged the success of the rally but noted that the crowd was smaller compared to previous gatherings. He attributed this to the immediate demands of workers, which were not being met, and the perception that the leadership, including Gandapur, was not fully invested in securing Khan’s release.
Senior journalist Arif Hayat, who was present at the rally, observed that PTI workers appeared disillusioned and no longer trusted the leadership. He pointed out that the growing factionalism within PTI was evident, and workers had lost faith in the current leadership’s ability to bring about real change.
In response, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Saif stated that despite hardships and arrests, PTI leaders and workers across the country had protested to send the message that Pakistan stands with Imran Khan. He reaffirmed that the party would continue its efforts to secure Khan’s release.