In Focus
The protests and its aftermath: PTI, Government and the New Normal

On 28 November, The Nation reported that “normalcy” has returned to Islamabad.  Businesses have resumed their activities and educational institutes are preparing to re-open from 29 November. This comes after a three-day protest was led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf in the capital. The entire capital was under a Red Zone with containers blocking roads as major highways and motorways were sealed off. Under the instructions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Memon various assistant commissioners have been ordered to clear their areas. Additionally, authorities have begun removing containers from the road that links Islamabad to Rawalpindi. In this regard, even metro bus services have been resumed. They were closed off due to security concerns arising from the protests. Additionally, internet services which were down during the PTI demonstrations have partially resumed.

PTI’s claims and Intra-party discord
Following the PTI retreat from the Islamabad Blue Area, where prominent government buildings are located, PTI leaders and sources have made differing claims on the death toll. Some have claimed that six to 20 party supporters have died in the protest, while others have alleged that the death toll is much higher. In a video statement, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja,  asserted that he has received information of the demise of six individuals. He also criticized the government for instructing hospitals to dispose of records of these people. KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur emphasized that the PTI did not intend for the power show to become violent and that rally was against the provincial government of Punjab and the federation.

Strong discord has emerged within the PTI as Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur have been criticized for continuing with the protests in D-Chowk instead of shifting the protest venue to Sangjiani after receiving PTI founder, Khan’s approval. While senior members have started pointing fingers for the poor planning of the protest, the KP CM has dismissed claims of intra-party conflict. PTI leader, Shaukat Yousafzai maintained that Gandapur was scape-goated and criticized Bushra Bibi’s insistence to carry out the protest at D-Chowk. A separate statement from a PTI leader who spoke based on anonymity stated that it must be clarified who is allowed to interfere in such matters. They further inquired: “Why didn’t the leadership engage in meaningful talks with the government? Who blocked the discussions?”

Government claims and action
Responding to these claims, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed that there was no loss of life as the security personnel tried dispersing those participating in the protests. The government has claimed that because the personnel were not equipped with firearms, there is no possibility of civilian casualty.  So far, there is no information regarding the casualties from the healthcare authorities. Many of the tallies circulating on social and journalistic media are based on information drawn from anonymous reports. Dawn reported that none of the hospital officials have been willing to reveal/confirm the figures. 

Further, first information reports have been filed against eight PTI figures. Some of the prominent ones include Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur, Salman Akram Raja, and Sheikh Waqas Akram. The cases lodged against them are related to Section 144, terrorism charges, abduction, assault on police and intervention in government operations.

Commenting on the protests, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the government would take a heavy-handed approach towards the restoration of stability in the future. He said: “As a prime minister, the chief executive, [and] as members of the cabinet and parliamentarians…[we] will not let that coterie of anarchy inflict further harm on the country’s economy.” The PM observed that PKR 190 billion losses were made to the economy as the stock market lost 4,000 points after crossing the 99,000 mark this week. He further wondered if those who were involved in the 9 May riots should have received cautionary punishments so that an event like the 24 November protests would not have been repeated.

JUI-F’s mediation offer
On 27 November, while speaking with the Larkana media, Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islami founder, Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed the desire to maintain dialogue with the PTI and play a mediating role with its  party workers. He denounced the violence that ensued from the protests and added that a good leader tempers their supporters’ zeal and does not resort to violence. He criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s carelessness as unrest within the province is on the rise. He also questioned PTI’s intention behind carrying out its protests at D-Chowk despite the government carrying out strict measures and deploying security personnel.

Responses from the Media
On 28 November, an editorial titled “Back from the Brink,” in The Nation discussed the clashes that took place on the ground as the security personnel sought to disperse the protestors. The editorial stated that using ordinary citizens and personnel as proxies to fight for PTI and the government’s political cause is not justified. In this regard, the former two’s safety must be of utmost importance as they “bear the brunt of decisions made far above their station.” As Pakistan returns from descending into chaos, the editorial suggested that there is only one solution and that is dialogue:A dialogue is necessary to overcome the political deadlock between the PTI and the state. If demonstrations like the 24 November persist, then it proves harmful for both parties. While the former will be burdened with the restoration of national and economic stability, the latter cannot afford to “bleed its ranks” without attaining any concrete results. 

A separate editorial titled “A hasty retreat,” in Dawn warned that after cracking down on the PTI protests, it should not toot its own horn. The editorial observed how the deployment of security personnel against protest marches has become a new normal. However, the presence of “general public discontent” against the state’s policies cannot be discounted. The editorial argued that the government’s success after defeating a major political party may be short-lived. It said: “They may be beneficiaries of this new policy; tomorrow, they will likely find themselves in its crosshairs.” Hence, both sides must settle their disputes as they may prove harmful to the country as a whole. 

Judiciary’s non-intervention
In light of the deaths of PTI supporters, the KP government’s counsel sought the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court’s assistance to take suo motu action against the same.. However, during a constitutional bench hearing on a case related to the Climate Change Authority, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan remarked that a case to on the matter should be formally brought before the court. In addition, Justice Musarrat Hilali urged the lawyer to “not bring political matters into the Supreme Court.”

References
“Normalcy returns to Islamabad,” The Nation, 28 November 2024;
 Ikram Junaidi, “‘Casualties of marchers’ main bone of contention between govt, PTI,” Dawn, 28 November 2024
Ayaz Akbar Yousafzai, “Imran Khan, other PTI leaders face fresh charges after protest fiasco,” The News International, 28 November 2024
 Syed Irfan Raza, “Govt fed up with capital onslaughts, vows ‘never again,’” Dawn, 28 November 2024
Arshad Aziz Malik, Javed Aziz Khan, Khalid Iqbal & Mushtaq Yusufzai, “Discord grips PTI after Islamabad protest rout,” The News International, 28 November 2024
“Fazlur Rehman condemns violence in Islamabad, offers mediation role with PTI,” The Express Tribune, 27 November 2024
“Back from the Brink,” The Nation, 28 November 2024
“A hasty retreat,” Dawn, 28 November 2024
“SC rejects suo motu notice plea on fatalities during PTI protest,” The Express Tribune, 27 November 2024