The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), under the leadership of Imran Khan, has repeatedly used protests and public demonstrations as a tool for political maneuvering.
The November 2024 protest/onslaught marked a continuation of this strategy, presenting itself as a democratic right but operating as a calculated assault on Pakistan’s stability.
The recent march on the capital orchestrated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was neither legitimate nor peaceful.
The onslaught was characterized by illegitimate demands, use of public means, misplaced priorities, violence, and a coordinated disinformation campaign.
This brief lays out how PTI’s actions were neither democratic nor peaceful, addressing political, diplomatic, economic, security, legal, and informational dimensions while exposing the failures of the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government and the manipulative role of key PTI figures.
PTI’s actions represent a premeditated attempt to destabilize Government / Pakistan, using violence and propaganda as political tools. By framing itself as a victim of state repression, PTI sought to undermine Pakistan’s global standing and create chaos.
Political Dimensions
PTI’s protests are part of a decade-long strategy of weaponizing public demonstrations to achieve undemocratic objectives. These include the 2014 sitins, Azadi (freedom) march in November 2022 (to influence the appointment of COAS), the nationwide destruction on 9th May 2023 (sequel to Imran Khan’s arrest), and the November 2024 protest / onslaught, which was not an exercise in legitimate political dissent but a disruptive strategy to achieve undemocratic objectives.
Illegitimate and Shifting Demands
PTI’s demands lacked legitimacy and consistency, showcasing their real motive of leveraging chaos for political gain. These included: -
- Release of Imran Khan: The protest’s declared / core aim was to secure the release of Imran Khan, who faces serious corruption and criminal charges, not to address public grievances. This is, illegal, at the least.
- Defiance of Judicial Orders: In compliance with The Islamabad High Court’s order, Islamabad Administration had allocated Sangjani Area (within the limits of Islamabad Capital Territory) as the protest venue. PTI’s leadership, including Imran Khan, initially agreed to this arrangement (this is as per the public statements of PTI leadership). However, Bushra Bibi, the wife of the former Prime Minister, insisted on marching toward D-Chowk in the Red Zone, violating legal restrictions and endangering public safety.
Weaponizing Public Discontent
The November 2024 protest / onslaught was a continuation of PTI’s tactics to exploit political grievances. These actions, cloaked in the guise of democratic rights, were aimed at coercing the government into releasing Imran Khan, who is facing grave corruption and other charges.
PTI’s past protests have consistently escalated into violence, such as their attempts to storm sensitive installations in Islamabad, destroy public property, and challenge the writ of the state.
A History of Disruption
The PTI has repeatedly laid siege to Islamabad, paralysing governance.
Their actions have forced businesses to shut down, disrupted court proceedings, and endangered diplomatic missions.
The government officials have pointed to PTI’s reliance on chaos to further its agenda. PTI’s protests have inflicted immense financial and human costs while undermining Pakistan’s democratic processes.
Not the least, PTI has a documented history of using protests / onslaughts to paralyze governance, from the 2014 sit-ins to the nationwide violence on May 9, 2023.
These actions have repeatedly inflicted immense costs on Pakistan’s democracy, institutions, and economy.
Failures of the KPK Government
The KPK government, led by Ali Amin Gandapur, epitomized PTI’s disregard for governance.
Instead of addressing the province’s pressing issues, Gandapur focused on organizing marches onto Islamabad, proving his loyalty to Imran Khan rather than serving the people. While: -
- KPK Faced Bloodshed in Kurram District: A conflict in Kurram District claimed over 130 lives during the same period as the protest / onslaught onto the national capital.
- TTP Threat Loomed: The resurgence of TTP terrorists posed severe security risks. Gandapur chose populist tactics over addressing these crises, exposing PTI’s governance failures.
Diplomatic Dimensions
The PTI’s actions disrupted Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements and threatened its reputation as a stable nation.
Disrupting Diplomatic Engagements
The timing of the protests, during visits by Belarusian President Lukashenko and
benefits from such chaos, implicitly condemning PTI’s actions.
Exploitation by Hostile Actors
PTI’s narrative was amplified by Indian media and other adversarial forces, portraying Pakistan as on the brink of collapse. The party’s alignment with such hostile narratives underscores its recklessness and disregard for national interests.
A History of Sabotage
This is not the first time PTI disrupted critical diplomatic events. In 2014, its protests (Dharna i.e. sit-in) derailed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit, damaging Pakistan’s bilateral relations and its image as a reliable partner. By staging protests / onslaughts during high-profile visits, PTI aimed to project Pakistan as unstable and ungovernable.
Economic Dimensions
PTI’s protests / onslaughts have consistently imposed heavy economic costs on Pakistan, with the November 2024 protest / onslaught being no exception.
Direct Economic Losses
The three-day protests / onslaught caused an estimated Rs. 190 billion daily in economic losses (and this protest lasted multiple days all over Pakistan). Trade activity in Islamabad and Rawalpindi came to a standstill, leading to shortages and temporary inflation, further burdening ordinary citizens.
Impact on Commerce and Investment
Businesses in Islamabad and Rawalpindi ground to a halt. Trade activity collapsed, leading to shortages of essential commodities and price hikes. The protests occurred at a critical juncture when Pakistan was regaining economic stability, with inflation at its lowest in six years and foreign direct investment beginning to rise. PTI’s actions were a deliberate attempt to derail this progress.
Misuse of Public Resources
The KPK government diverted provincial resources to support the protests, financing transportation, logistics, and payments to activists. This misuse of taxpayer money for political theatrics underscores PTI’s misplaced priorities. Use of cranes, fire tenders and other machinery for undesirable onslaught to national capital undermined the provincial government’s ability to provide the services to dependent populace in KPK.
Hindering Economic Recovery
At a time when Pakistan’s economy was showing signs of recovery, with inflation at a six-year low and foreign investment increasing, PTI’s actions derailed progress. These protests were a calculated attempt to undermine the government’s economic achievements and create a narrative of state failure.
Security Dimensions
The November protests were marked by violence and lawlessness, contradicting PTI’s claims of a peaceful demonstration.
Deployment of Armed Militants
The protests involved approximately 1,500 armed militants, including illegal Afghan nationals, who carried automatic weapons, explosives, and other contraband. This escalated the protests into an organized assault on the state.
Attacks on Law Enforcement
PTI protestors attacked police and Rangers, resulting in six fatalities and over 225 injuries among law enforcement personnel. Vehicles were set ablaze, and public property was vandalized. Despite severe provocation, LEAs adhered to strict orders to use only non-lethal means, disproving PTI’s claims of a “massacre.”
Neglecting KPK’s Security
While Gandapur led the march onto Islamabad, KPK’s security situation deteriorated. The ongoing bloodbath in Kurram District and the unchecked resurgence of the TTP underscore the failure of the KPK government to prioritize the safety of its citizens.
Legal Dimensions
The government’s response to PTI’s actions was firmly grounded in constitutional and legal provisions.
Adherence to Judicial Orders
The Islamabad High Court’s directive to maintain law and order in the capital justified the government’s firm stance. PTI’s refusal to adhere to designated protest areas further validates the administration’s actions. Their subsequent breach of the Diplomatic & Administrative Enclave violated court orders, justifying the government’s actions to maintain law and order.
Accountability for Violence
PTI’s actions violated anti-terrorism laws and constitutional provisions. The government has emphasized the need for accountability, ensuring that those responsible for violence and vandalism face justice.
Investigating Casualty Claims
PTI’s claims of fatalities remain unsubstantiated. No credible evidence such as autopsies, eyewitness accounts, or medical reports supports these allegations. The government’s openness to investigating legitimate claims highlights its transparency, in stark contrast to PTI’s reliance on propaganda.
Adherence to Legal Norms
The deployment of the military under Article 245 was solely for the protection of key installations, with no involvement in riot control. Police and Rangers used non-lethal means to disperse protestors, adhering to clear government directives.
Informational Dimensions
PTI’s disinformation campaign aimed to manipulate public opinion and gain international sympathy. PTI’s narrative was built on a foundation of lies and manipulated media. This disinformation campaign aimed to discredit the government while gaining international sympathy.
Fabricating Narratives
PTI leaders and associated trolls have disseminated wildly inconsistent casualty figures, ranging from 33 to over 1,000. Yet, no verifiable evidence like autopsy reports, ballistic analyses, or eyewitness accounts supports these claims. Even PTI’s admission of 12 deaths is ambiguous, with no clarity on whether LEAs were responsible. Social media platforms were
flooded with doctored images and AI-generated content to bolster these false claims. Notably, PTI’s social media accounts shared and later deleted doctored images without any apology or corrective statements.
Leveraging International Media / Influencers / Figures
PTI’s narrative targeted international audiences, tagging foreign leaders and organizations to amplify their claims. This deliberate misinformation campaign sought to undermine Pakistan’s state institutions and erode public trust. PTI successfully manipulated foreign media and
human rights organizations, portraying themselves as victims of state
PTI’s narrative without verifying its claims. However, independent investigations (DW etc) and reports from credible journalists debunked these allegations, highlighting PTI’s use of fake videos and AI-generated images.
Manipulating Protest Objectives
PTI portrayed the protests as a democratic right while masking their true intent: to disrupt governance and protect Imran Khan from accountability. Their reliance on exaggeration and disinformation reflects their manipulative approach.
The PTI’s militant and fascist tactics are a direct threat to Pakistan’s stability and democratic integrity. By combining violence, propaganda, and external alliances, PTI sought to destabilize the state and manipulate public perception. The PTI’s November 2024 protest / onslaught were not a democratic exercise but a calculated attempt to destabilize Pakistan. By prioritizing (populist) political loyalty over governance, weaponizing disinformation, and aligning with hostile actors, PTI endangered the nation’s security, economy, and international standing.
The government’s measured response, grounded in legal and moral principles, underscores its commitment to protecting the state and its citizens. As Pakistan moves forward, it is imperative to hold PTI accountable for its actions while strengthening democratic institutions to prevent future threats. As Pakistan continues to rebuild, it is imperative for the international community to recognize and counter PTI’s disinformation campaign.
The state cannot allow such actions to derail its progress or compromise its sovereignty. The international community must recognize PTI’s tactics for what they are: a dangerous play for power that undermines Pakistan’s progress and sovereignty.
