PTI Leaders’ Sudden Disappearance Sparks Anger Among Workers During Islamabad March

ISLAMABAD:Tensions flared within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as party leaders’ sudden disappearance during a critical operation at the “D-Chowk” protest site has left many of the party’s loyal workers furious. Protesters had gathered in Islamabad for the ‘final march’ called by party chairman Imran Khan, but during a major crackdown by authorities, key figures of the leadership, including Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, vanished from the scene, sparking outrage.

Protesters, who had braved difficult conditions and traveled from various parts of the country, were left disappointed as they faced tear gas, baton charges, and live firing without the support of their leaders. Several workers who had made the journey to Islamabad, including those from Peshawar, expressed their disbelief at the leaders’ sudden exit from the protest.

Amjad Khan, a PTI worker from Peshawar, explained that they had traveled with Ali Amin Gandapur’s convoy, but once the crackdown began, Gandapur was nowhere to be seen. “We were expecting our leaders to lead from the front, but instead, they disappeared when the operation started. It felt like betrayal,” he said.

According to reports, Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, along with former KP Minister Atif Khan and other key party figures, reportedly fled the scene and took shelter in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to avoid potential arrest. This move further angered party workers who felt abandoned at a crucial moment in the protest.

The disappearance of the leadership has raised serious questions within the party. PTI worker Afnaan Khan said, “We risked our lives for the cause of true freedom, but our leaders ran away when we needed them most. Now, we feel let down and betrayed.” He criticized the leadership for making bold claims before the march and then abandoning their workers when the situation became difficult.

Former provincial minister and PTI leader, Shaukat Yousafzai, also criticized the absence of the central leadership, questioning why key figures like Barrister Gohar Khan, Salman Akram Raja, and others did not show up during the protest. He called out the leadership for failing to stand with their supporters during the critical phase of the protest.

Meanwhile, PTI MNA Atif Khan confirmed that he was in Islamabad, trying to locate missing workers and ascertain the number of casualties and injuries. He condemned the violence during the protest, stating that the lights were turned off and firing began at night, causing chaos among the workers.

The absence of the leadership has left PTI supporters questioning the future of the party and their faith in its leadership. With many workers expressing their disillusionment, the party now faces a significant challenge in regaining the trust of its supporters.