Imran Khan’s call for a major protest on November 24 has sparked significant discussions within his party, PTI, as it faces growing internal concerns about sustaining a prolonged movement. Despite some reservations from party members, including Imran’s sister, Aleema Khan, who questioned the timing of such a decisive protest, the former Prime Minister remains firm in his stance.
At a recent press conference, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqqas Akram emphasized that workers from all over Pakistan would converge on Islamabad on November 24, pledging not to leave until their demands were met. These demands include the reversal of the 26th Amendment, the return of what they consider a ‘stolen mandate’, and the release of PTI leaders, including Imran Khan himself, who remains imprisoned.
Aleema Khan, after meeting with her brother, admitted that she had concerns about launching such a large-scale protest so soon, but acknowledged that Imran Khan was insistent on going ahead with the plan. PTI’s leadership in Punjab, however, has been relatively quiet since the announcement of the protest. There is speculation that this is due to the backlash from the previous protest attempt, which had failed to gain momentum and was widely seen as unsuccessful.
In response to the earlier setbacks, PTI Punjab’s Information Secretary, Shaukat Basra, assured that the silence was part of a strategy to refine their approach for the upcoming protest. He explained that the party was focused on ensuring a successful mobilization for November 24 by assigning clear roles and responsibilities to every MNA, MPA, ticket-holder, and office-bearer.
Despite the government’s heavy-handed tactics during the previous round of protests, which led to numerous arrests and demoralized party supporters, PTI leaders are hopeful that the broader strategy they are developing will prevent a similar fate this time. Key figures, such as KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, will lead workers from their provinces to Islamabad, with no leader allowed to abandon the protest or leave the public behind, as had been the case in previous demonstrations.
Aleema Khan questioned whether the government would imprison all of the opposition, suggesting that sheer numbers could overwhelm the authorities. The party is relying on mass participation to ensure their message is heard, and although PTI’s overseas chapters have initiated fundraising campaigns to support the protest, local funding remains a concern. Shaukat Basra confirmed that party leaders would be expected to fund their individual segments of the protest through grassroots fundraising at the constituency level.
While Imran Khan’s leadership remains central to the mobilization efforts, the party is also making a direct appeal to the youth to join the protest, as they believe that the power of this movement will lie in public support. Speaking from Adiala jail, Imran Khan stated that the purpose of the protest was to uphold the rule of law and preserve democracy, which he claims is under threat.
The party has also extended its appeal to a wide range of groups, including students, women, laborers, and the general public, to participate in the protest. PTI Punjab leader Hammad Azhar tweeted his commitment to leading supporters from Punjab to Islamabad, vowing to challenge what he calls the “illegitimate incarceration” of Imran Khan and the rule of “unelected and fascist rulers.”
The party’s leadership is hoping that the call for protest from Imran Khan, coupled with his personal imprisonment, will galvanize support and inspire a massive turnout on November 24.
