The domino effect is sweeping through the ranks of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), leaving player after player in its wake. The once formidable force is now grappling with a storm it may not have been fully prepared to weather. The arm-twisting and internal strife have become too much for the party’s members to bear.
A mere month ago, PTI supporters could not have fathomed the state of affairs unfolding before their eyes. Initially, it was believed that those leaving the party were individuals who saw no future within its ranks, aware that they would not secure desirable positions or party tickets. However, as time passed, the casualties became increasingly severe, with heavyweight figures bowing out one after another.
The latest blow came in the form of Ali Zaidi, PTI Sindh president, core committee member, and former maritime affairs minister. Just days prior, Zaidi had boldly stated that only a bullet to his head could force him to leave the party. However, his resolve crumbled within a matter of days, as he bid farewell not only to PTI but also to politics as a whole.
The question now arises: Can PTI withstand this relentless onslaught? Where will the domino effect ultimately lead?
PTI supporters find themselves not only demoralized but also filled with anger. Their frustration is directed not only at the powers that be but more so at those who were once considered the pillars of the party. Those who succumbed to the pressure were not mere second or third-tier members; they constituted the very core of the party.
Names like Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Aamer Mehmood Kiyani, Shireen Mazari, Maleeka Bukhari, and now Ali Zaidi were the recognizable faces of PTI. Social media has been particularly unforgiving towards them. While some sympathize with the former party members, many others hold them accountable, believing that as politicians, they should have stood firmly by Imran Khan’s side and weathered the storm together.
The backlash even extended to Iman Mazari-Hazir, the daughter of Shireen Mazari, who was blamed for her mother’s controversial announcement. This internal strife within PTI has not gone unnoticed by international observers. American and British parliamentarians have voiced their concerns over the deteriorating political situation in Pakistan.
Members of parliament from the Conservative Party in Britain expressed their anger at being denied the opportunity to speak to PTI Chairman Imran Khan. During a planned Zoom call, his internet connection was abruptly cut off by Pakistani authorities, frustrating the British politicians. Similarly, US Congressman Brad Sherman voiced his concerns about the continuous violation of human rights and democracy in Pakistan.
A US Senate panel also raised alarm over the situation, while Human Rights Watch called on the government to exercise restraint and respect human rights and the rule of law. Unfortunately, international appeals have thus far fallen on deaf ears, and the clampdown on the party shows no signs of abating.
In the midst of this grim situation, PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz, speaking at a public gathering in Vehari, boldly claimed that Imran Khan’s politics is over. While her statement may seem premature, only time will tell if Imran’s horses and men can mend the fractured pieces of PTI and restore its former glory.
The current challenges faced by PTI represent a critical test of the party’s resilience and ability to adapt. The coming days and weeks will undoubtedly define the future trajectory of the party. As PTI strives to regain its footing, it must learn from past mistakes, foster unity within its ranks, and address the concerns of its supporters. Only then can it reclaim its.
