PTI’s Protest Fails to Gain Momentum as Government Regains Control

Islamabad:The protest initiated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on November 24 witnessed a dramatic turn of events on November 26, as protesters managed to breach several security barriers and reach Islamabad’s Jinnah Avenue. For a brief moment, it appeared that PTI had emerged victorious, while the government seemed on the brink of defeat. However, a swift operation by security forces in the late hours of November 26 cleared the avenue, dispersing the protesters and leading to several arrests.

Despite initial success in reaching Jinnah Avenue, where PTI supporters celebrated their achievement, the protest quickly lost momentum. Many protesters, particularly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had gathered in high spirits, believing they had accomplished their goal. Their primary objective was the release of PTI’s leader, Imran Khan, and they expected to remain at the site until their demands were met.

Unlike previous PTI protests, this demonstration saw a higher number of middle-aged participants, many of whom were local workers or supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following instructions from regional leaders. However, as the evening wore on, disillusionment began to spread. Between 6 and 7 PM, some protesters started leaving, leading to speculation that the leadership was not committed to the cause. This growing sense of frustration was fueled by the absence of many prominent PTI leaders, which further dampened the morale of those present.

Security forces capitalized on this unrest, launching a well-coordinated operation to clear the area within hours. While PTI had called this protest its “final call” to demand Imran Khan’s release, the failure to sustain the demonstration has raised questions about the party’s ability to recover from this setback.

**Political Analysts Weigh In**

Political analysts have expressed concern over the potential long-term impact of this failed protest on PTI’s political fortunes. Ahmad Bilal Mehboob, President of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), stated that while the protest’s failure is a significant blow, political parties often have the resilience to recover from such setbacks. He emphasized that PTI’s recovery would depend on the party’s strategy moving forward and whether it could retain the support of its base. “The key to recovery lies in how the party handles its next steps and whether it can rebuild trust among its supporters,” he said.

Another analyst, Absar Alam, pointed out that PTI’s inability to engage Punjab effectively had a major role in the protest’s failure. “The party leadership in Punjab is either in jail or absent from the political scene. While PTI has a stronghold in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, its appeal in Punjab has remained limited,” Alam noted. He suggested that PTI’s leadership had overlooked the need to galvanize Punjab, where the party’s support base has been divided.

**A Setback for PTI, But Not the End**

Despite the setback, PTI’s supporters are not entirely disheartened. Party leaders insist that the struggle for Imran Khan’s release will continue, albeit through different channels. However, the events of November 26 have raised questions about PTI’s future strategy, particularly in terms of its ability to unite its supporters and maintain political relevance amidst growing public disillusionment.

With the political landscape in flux, PTI now faces the challenge of rebuilding its momentum and restoring the confidence of its core supporters, particularly in Punjab, where the party’s presence has been weak in recent years. Whether PTI can recover from this defeat or whether it marks the beginning of a prolonged period of decline remains to be seen.