The November 24 protest has proven to be a spanner in the works for negotiations between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the establishment, according to party insiders.
The protest derailed what appeared to be a burgeoning reconciliation effort, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur playing a key role in bridging the divide. However, the violent turn of events during the protest has left the two sides further apart than ever.
Sources close to the matter revealed that PTI founding chairman Imran Khan was being nudged towards the negotiating table, and considerable progress was being made. The abrupt announcement of the November 24 protest threw a wrench into the efforts.
Before the incidents, a thaw in relations was on the horizon, with Imran Khan showing signs of being persuaded to come to the negotiating table. However, the sudden announcement caught mediators off guard, raising eyebrows and intensifying tensions.
At a PTI parliamentary party meeting held on Saturday, Gandapur shared details of the events leading up to and following the 24 November protest. He disclosed that talks between PTI and the establishment had gained considerable momentum before the protest call, with efforts to bring Imran Khan on board showing promise.
During the skirmishes at D-Chowk, the K-P chief minister took it upon himself to ensure the safe evacuation of Bushra Bibi to a secure location.
Addressing the issue, the chief minister remarked, "Bushra Bibi represents Imran Khan's dignity, and ensuring her safety was my responsibility".
Party sources further stated that Imran Khan initially intended to lead the sit-in from Sangjani.
However, Bushra Bibi's insistence reportedly led the convoy to proceed toward D-Chowk instead. When the protest turned, chaotic and the government launched its crackdown, the decision to move Bushra Bibi to safety became a priority, made solely by the chief minister.
In the meeting, PTI lawmakers threw their weight behind the idea of future protests and assured the chief minister of their unwavering support. However, no concrete decision was reached regarding the timeline or strategy for the next demonstration.
The aftermath of the November 24 protest has driven a significant wedge between the PTI and the establishment. "If another attempt at reconciliation is made, it could take a considerable amount of time," remarked a senior party official, reflecting on the growing divide.
As tensions continue to simmer, the sources said the former ruling party has decided to put its plans for another protest in Islamabad on the back burner.
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