Imran Khan’s Call for Civil Disobedience Leaves PTI Leaders in a Dilemma
Islamabad:Following the failure of the Islamabad protest at D-Chowk last month, the announcement by PTI founder Imran Khan to launch a civil disobedience movement has left the leadership of the party perplexed and divided.
In light of this call, PTI leaders have expressed confusion over its feasibility and timing. Renowned journalist Ansar Abbasi, in a report, revealed that the call for civil disobedience has come as a surprise to many within the party. According to him, the majority of PTI leaders believe the call is neither practical nor timely.
The report further highlighted that several senior party leaders have raised concerns about the civil disobedience movement. They argue that such a move is neither actionable nor strategically sound at this moment. Many leaders have also vowed to take this issue up with Imran Khan and convince him to reconsider the decision.
Key PTI leaders such as **Barrister Gohar Ali Khan**, **Secretary General Salman Akram Raja**, **Ali Amin Gandapur**, and **Asad Qaiser** are reportedly surprised by the sudden announcement. According to them, they found out about this call through a post on Imran Khan’s X (formerly Twitter) account, and not through any prior consultation within the party.
In regard to the implications of civil disobedience, sources pointed out that the move would be practically impossible to execute, especially with the suspension of remittances from overseas Pakistanis and the refusal to pay utility bills. These actions would have serious repercussions, such as overseas Pakistanis halting money transfers to their families in Pakistan, and citizens refusing to pay bills, which could lead to widespread disruptions.
The report also stated that PTI members of the provincial and national assemblies could not afford to be part of this movement. Such an act would risk their parliamentary seats, as defying the law could lead to disqualification.
Many PTI leaders are reportedly unhappy with Imran Khan’s recent announcement. They believe that whoever is advising him to make such a decision is not acting in the best interests of the party or its founder.
PTI leaders, such as **Ali Mohammad Khan**, have expressed their intention to meet with Imran Khan to seek further clarification on this matter. The party leadership is set to hold discussions with the founder to gain more guidance on how to proceed with this call for civil disobedience.
This development has further deepened the rift within PTI as party members grapple with the implications of a movement that many see as a step too far.
