PTI Faces Internal Strife After Islamabad Protest, Leaders Blame Bushra Bibi for Strategy Failures

Islamabad:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is grappling with severe internal divisions following the recent protest in Islamabad. Senior party leaders are at odds over the ineffective strategy of the protest, with increasing blame being directed towards Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI’s founder Imran Khan. Sources within the party indicate that Bushra Bibi’s insistence on leading the protest and her unyielding stance on marching towards D-Chowk have become points of contention.

The protest, aimed at pressuring the government and securing Imran Khan’s release, ended in failure, leading to growing frustrations within the party. Following the operation at D-Chowk on Tuesday night, the rift between various PTI factions has become evident, with leaders criticizing the party’s handling of the situation.

**Shaukat Yousafzai Blames Bushra Bibi for Protest Failure**
Senior PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai has been vocal in his criticism of Bushra Bibi’s role in the protest. He claimed that the party’s leadership failed to come up with a clear strategy, particularly regarding the decision to march to D-Chowk. According to Yousafzai, PTI’s senior leader Ali Amin Gandapur was made a scapegoat for the failure. He also stated that while Imran Khan had agreed to a rally at Sangjani, a suburb of Islamabad, Bushra Bibi remained insistent on the protest heading to D-Chowk, ultimately leading to chaos.

Yousafzai further questioned Bushra Bibi’s involvement in leading the protest, stating that it should be clarified whether the current leadership, or Bushra Bibi herself, should take charge of the party. He even suggested that the party leadership, which appeared to have no clear mandate or authority during the protest, should consider resigning.

Reflecting on the operation at D-Chowk, Yousafzai expressed regret over the lack of preparation. He criticized the absence of PTI’s Punjab leadership during the operation and admitted that there was no concrete plan in place despite the protesters’ presence at D-Chowk. “There should have been a consultative committee formed before we set out for the protest,” Yousafzai lamented.

**Ali Amin Gandapur Defends the Protest**
On the other hand, PTI’s Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, rejected the allegations of discord within the party and defended the protest as a success. Gandapur claimed that despite facing government opposition and obstacles, PTI workers were able to reach D-Chowk, demonstrating their commitment.

He strongly condemned the use of live fire by the government, which led to casualties during the protest, calling such actions “absolutely unacceptable.” Gandapur also hinted at possible legal action against the federal and provincial governments for their “illegal and oppressive” behavior, promising to take the matter to court.

The party’s internal friction is likely to intensify in the coming days, with key leaders like Yousafzai and Gandapur taking opposing stances on the protest’s effectiveness and leadership. The crisis within PTI underscores the growing challenges the party faces in the wake of its leadership’s continued legal troubles and internal disarray. As the debate over the protest strategy continues, PTI’s future direction remains uncertain.