Senior Journalist Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Details of PTI’s Islamabad March: Chaos, Strategy, and Controversies

Islamabad: Despite multiple lockdowns and heavy restrictions, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers managed to reach the capital city, Islamabad, triggering mixed claims about the rally’s impact. Senior journalist Sohail Warraich, in his column for Jang newspaper, shed light on the internal workings of the PTI’s long march and its intense confrontation with the state.
Warraich explained that when the march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa began, the government was immediately concerned for two reasons: the 35,000-strong crowd, mostly young people, and the presence of Bushra Bibi, PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s wife. The authorities were unsure how to deal with her, as her influence and unpredictability could either escalate the situation or open a path for reconciliation.
As the rally moved forward, authorities kept a close watch, utilizing modern surveillance technology to monitor the size of the crowd. Initially, there were concerns as the protesters, energized by speeches from Bushra Bibi, seemed intent on reaching D-Chowk in Islamabad, demanding Imran Khan’s release and a major political showdown. However, the state’s strategy was to wear them down by creating roadblocks, limiting supplies, and avoiding direct confrontation, with the hope that fatigue would ultimately break the protesters’ spirit.
The plan was for the demonstrators to be exhausted and hungry by the time they reached D-Chowk. Food outlets along the route were shut down, and the protesters were expected to become weaker as they neared their destination. To the government’s surprise, however, the march reached D-Chowk a day earlier than anticipated, throwing authorities into a brief panic.
Despite initial setbacks, by late evening, it was reported that the crowd had dwindled to about 15,000 people. This prompted the government to prepare for a swift crackdown, which included deploying fresh forces and shutting down power to the area. At around 9 PM, security forces launched an operation, using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, forcing many to retreat. Interestingly, both Bushra Bibi and key PTI leaders, including Ghulam Sarwar Khan, reportedly fled the scene just before the operation began.
Warraich also discussed how the authorities handled Bushra Bibi’s exit. While the police had the option to arrest her as she was recognized while leaving Islamabad, senior officials decided against it, fearing that an arrest could turn her into a martyr.
Regarding the violence and casualties during the operation, the journalist highlighted the tragic loss of life, particularly among law enforcement personnel. However, PTI’s supporters continued to make exaggerated claims about the number of their own casualties. Warraich criticized PTI’s repeated falsehoods, stating that while any loss of life is regrettable, the truth should be verified through a formal commission, especially as claims of fatalities and other incidents remain unproven.
The situation at D-Chowk and the aftermath of the operation has raised significant concerns over both the political fallout and the safety of protesters and law enforcement officers.