Days after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf called off its Islamabad march after the operation, party leader Shaukat Yousafzai said that there was no need for protesters to go to the D-Chowk.

“It was unfortunate that some individuals left too early, if they had waited just two more days, the government would have surrendered,” he said while appearing on Rubaroo which was aired on Aaj News on Sunday.

Thousands of PTI supporters marched on November 24 from different cities to Islamabad for former prime minister Imran Khan’s “final call” to “ensure the release of party members and restoration of democracy.” But the protest was called off on the third day.

They managed to reach the federal capital despite roadblocks and disruptions to the internet and cellular services.

At least six people, including a police officer and three Rangers officials, lost their lives during three days of protests, as reported by officials and hospital sources.

It was the third time that time that the party called off its protest after reaching its desired destination. According to Khan’s party, 12 of their supporters were killed in firing on the third day of the protest.

When asked, Yousafzai said there was a debate within the party regarding the treatment of workers who reached the iconic public square.

He mentioned that the initial call from Khan was indeed for the D-Chowk, but later, Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Ali Saif and PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan flew in by special helicopter to meet with Khan and conveyed that he suggested they could sit in Sangjani if the government agreed, rather than going further.

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“I believe if Khan Sahib said you could go as far as Sangjani then we should have gone there. But if the workers had reached D-Chowk, the government should have shown patience and restraint.”

Former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, who had joined the show via video link, claimed that the incumbent PTI leadership has let down both Khan and the party workers. Former first lady Bushra Bibi stepped forward to lead the protests “out of necessity, as no other leader was willing to do so,” he said.

Ismail added that Bibi was not trying to take the PTI founder’s place, saying: “No one can replace Imran Khan.” He was of the view that Khan’s wife was not forcibly taken away from the sit-in.