Join Nov 24 protest or leave party: Imran Khan to PTI leaders

Bushra Bibi warns leaders their participation in the protest would impact their chances for election tickets

Imran Khan has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and ticket holders to participate in the party's upcoming protest on November 24 or sever ties with the party. 

In a recent statement, he stated that those unable to join the planned "power show" should “disassociate themselves” from the PTI, calling it a critical moment in the party’s struggle for freedom and justice.

This call follows Imran’s announcement on November 13 for nationwide protests, where he denounced what he described as a "stolen mandate," unjust arrests, and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he claimed strengthened a "dictatorial regime." 

In a statement shared on X, Imran reiterated the importance of the November 24 protests. He framed the event as “a golden opportunity to secure genuine freedom for Pakistan” and warned that “enslaved nations eventually die away.” 

He also acknowledged that while his initial calls for protest were directed at PTI members, he now extended the invitation to the entire nation. He called for people to join the demonstration with the same fervour as they did during the February 8 elections, which were marred by controversy.

Imran expressed concerns over the suspension of “foundational pillars of democracy” in Pakistan, citing issues such as the rule of law, free elections, and media freedoms. 

He highlighted restrictions on broadcasting his statements and the severe limitations imposed on the media, alongside the widespread internet disruptions that have reportedly cost Pakistan Rs550 billion this year. 

The former prime minister also condemned the “enforced disappearances, brutality, and violence” faced by PTI workers, asserting that these incidents were damaging the reputation of the country's national security institutions.

Imran’s statements on the protest come amid a tense political atmosphere, with PTI maintaining its stance of non-negotiation with the government. The party has made it clear that it will not call off the sit-in until its demands—returning what they view as a “stolen mandate,” restoring the Constitution, and securing Imran’s release—are met. 

Bushra Bibi, Imran’s wife, also commented on the significance of the November 24 protest. She told party leaders that their performance during the demonstration would be a factor in determining whether they would receive PTI tickets for the next general elections. She conveyed that Imran Khan had linked election candidacies to the commitment shown in the upcoming protest.

Meanwhile, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram reiterated that there has been no communication between the party and the government, and insisted that the protest would go ahead without any attempts to halt it.