The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf faced a major setback on Thursday as lawyer Salman Akram Raja and religio-political leader Sahibzada Hamid Raza resigned from their roles within the party.
This comes after the PTI’s Islamabad march failed to meet its objective of releasing jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.
Thousands of PTI supporters marched on November 24 from different cities to Islamabad for Khan’s “final call” to “ensure the release of party members and restoration of democracy.”
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 reports, the party’s top leadership had expressed concerns over the lack of participation from supporters in Punjab during the meetings for the Islamabad march.
Raja has resigned as the PTI secretary general, sources said amid the former ruling party’s poor show rally show in Lahore.
He was tasked with leading the party’s efforts in Islamabad, but due to road closures, he devised a plan for a protest in Lahore instead.
But Raja faced challenges in mobilising PTI workers in Punjab’s capital, failing to rally significant support. The lacklustre display apparently raised concerns within the party about its organisational effectiveness and ability to engage its base.
Lawmaker Sahibzada Hamid Raza resigned from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Core Committee as well as from the political committee, sources said.
Raza, who is the Sunni Ittehad Council leader, has also decided to resign from the National Assembly.
He would submit his resignation from the National Assembly following a meeting with PTI leadership, sources said.
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Late on the third day, PTI leaders, including Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, urged protesters to “go home, have dinner, and return tomorrow.” This retreat from the protest site marked a significant shift in strategy for the party.
In addition to the fatalities in the wee hours of Wednesday, there were widespread arrests as security forces worked to clear protesters from Jinnah Avenue and the Blue Area. However, the exact number of those detained remains unclear.
To maintain order, police switched off street lights along Jinnah Avenue and in surrounding sectors, deploying a heavy presence on both sides of the road. As law enforcement regained control, many dispersed protesters moved towards Faisal Avenue and nearby areas, where authorities had placed containers to block access, which had previously been cleared by demonstrators.
