Is Pakistan’s government stifling opposition PTI’s ‘final protest' call?

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s main opposition party, is ramping up a nationwide protest demanding the release of its leader, former prime minister Imran Khan, even as government restrictions intensify.

A day earlier, police detained senior PTI figures outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Khan is imprisoned, further fueling concerns about the government’s stance toward dissent.

The leaders — Asad Qaiser, Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza of the PTI-aligned Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) — were apprehended for allegedly violating Section 144, a law limiting public gatherings. They were released shortly afterward but received a warning that further violations would not be tolerated.

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The timing of these restrictions is raising questions about whether the government aims to block communications between Khan and his party to stifle the protest’s momentum.

Imran’s ‘final’ call

Speaking to the media outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan conveyed her brother’s call for protests, setting Nov. 24 as the planned date.

She listed four reasons for Pakistanis to rally, including the preservation of the rule of law, reclaiming PTI’s “stolen mandate,” advocating for detained party workers, and safeguarding Pakistan’s future.

A supporter of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), reacts as he along with others attend a rally demanding his release in Swabi, Pakistan November 9, 2024.Reuters

Aleema emphasized that Khan urged participation from every PTI member, ticket holder, and supporter, alongside ordinary Pakistanis. She further accused the government of preventing Khan from communicating with his party, potentially to thwart PTI’s organizational plans.

Court orders ignored

Legal developments have added complexity to the situation. A day earlier, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued a fresh directive allowing PTI’s leadership and Khan’s family to visit him on selected days.

The order mandates that Adiala Jail’s superintendent receive a list of approved visitors from Khan and coordinate with PTI’s secretary general. However, PTI officials report that authorities are still blocking access despite the court’s directive.

A supporter of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), along with others chant slogans as they attend a rally demanding his release in Swabi, Pakistan November 9, 2024.Reuters

This unexpected move has left Khan’s supporters questioning whether the government will comply with judicial orders or continue restricting his communications as PTI’s protest plans approach.

‘Escalating instability’

Former PTI politician Fawad Chaudhry, speaking with Nukta, criticized the government’s handling of the situation, warning that the ongoing restrictions are escalating instability.

“If the government wants to lower political tensions, it must recognize Imran Khan as a political reality,” Chaudhry stated, arguing that ignoring PTI’s presence would only deepen Pakistan’s political instability. He added that the government’s restrictions on Khan’s communications were counterproductive, exacerbating the nation’s crisis.

No regard for democratic norms

Political analyst Hassan Askari also weighed in, saying that Pakistan’s government is operating unilaterally, leveraging its power without regard for democratic norms. Speaking to Nukta, Askari suggested the authorities’ restriction of Khan’s meetings was intended to weaken PTI’s organizational structure ahead of the planned protest.

“Pakistani politics has devolved into a power game, void of ethical principles or governance,” Askari commented. He argued that both the government’s tactics and PTI’s reliance on protests underscore a political system prioritizing power over the nation’s future.

Last month, restrictions prevented Khan from meeting his advisors, with authorities citing security concerns. Askari warned that further blocks on Khan’s communication could set a concerning precedent, reflecting a volatile political environment increasingly marked by division and unrest.

"This is no longer about principles or governance," Askari said. "Pakistani politics has turned into a power game, stripped of rules, ethics, or laws."

He added that with the government relying on state machinery and PTI leaning on protests, those in power appear unconcerned with the country's long-term future.