Incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi gave “nearly impossible tasks” to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leadership on Sunday for the party’s November 24 protest, causing a wave of anxiety among them.
She said this during a meeting of Peshawar region officials in Peshawar to assess preparations for the protest, sources told Aaj News. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur presided over the meeting.
Khan has urged his followers to march towards Islamabad on November 24 for the “restoration” of democracy and the judiciary.
Ruling coalition leaders have slammed the PTI for causing unrest in the country with such protests.
In reaction, the PTI founder set four demands for ending the protest. They are related to the recent steps taken by the government like the 26th Constitutional Amendment. According to former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, Khan’s demands “are not wrong.”
She asked all provincial assembly members to bring along “5,000 supporters each” while parliamentarians would be “responsible for arranging transportation and food” for the activists.
Bibi added that lawmakers would “need to record videos of all vehicles in their convoys,” making it their responsibility to ensure proper documentation.
All workers “must reach” Islamabad’s D-Chowk at any cost, she said and declared that it was the final call for the release of her husband. She urged every worker to mobilise and try to bring their families along as well.
Her instructions seemed to be what her lawyer told in the court during a recent hearing and clarified that she was not taking part in politics.
PTI’s information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said on Saturday that Bibi was only advocating for her husband’s release.
At one point, the former first lady expressed her “strong displeasure” towards assembly members and party officials.
“I have received reports from the last protest and convoys. Many officials and members participated only to mark their attendance, and several left with their supporters from various locations. This time, that will not be tolerated. We must reach Islamabad at all costs, and strict action will be taken against those who fail to follow instructions.”
At the meeting, KP CM Gandapur stated that people from each region would arrive at the D-Chowk separately and the provincial government would “cover the expenses.” He also advised workers to avoid arrests in Punjab.
Gandapur reportedly reprimanded leaders who were causing divisions within the region, warning them against interfering in organisational matters. He stated that any future interference would not be tolerated.
Some of the leaders purportedly apologised and assured that there would be no further complaints moving forward.
But the KP Assembly lawmakers are reportedly troubled by the orders from Bibi and Khan’s sister Aleema Khan, expressing doubts about the feasibility of a single MNA mobilising 10,000 workers.
Bibi made it clear to Gandapur that “if he fails to deliver this time, he will no longer remain the chief minister.”
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Sources within the PTI said that taking families along for the protest is not a wise decision and Gandapur feels pressured by the former first lady’s demands.
Meanwhile, she met with the Insaf Students Federation leaders and youth leaders on Sunday where she conveyed a message from the PTI founder.
She stated that the founder has “high expectations” for the youth and urged them to mobilise for the PTI protest scheduled for November 24.
Following that, Bibi held separate meetings with PTI officials, providing them with instructions regarding the upcoming protest.
