Mixed reaction: PTI supporters divided over abrupt end of sit-in

Most party workers said they were left in the lurch as they had no money left to go home

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, a fair number of whom lived in tents for 126 days, seemed divided over the abrupt end to the sit-in in the wake of the Peshawar school tragedy.

Most of them complained that those workers who remained with the party chief and the leadership through thick and thin were not taken on board before the protest was called off. The PTI had been camping at the Parade Avenue since August 19.

Broken railings, damaged flower beds, pieces of rubbish including cans, bottles were all pervade at the scene of the sit-in while workers wrapped up chairs, tables, party banners and pictures of their leaders.

“He (Imran Khan) took a right decision at a time when the whole nation is mourning the Peshawar tragedy,” said Mustafa Bangash, a PTI worker from Hangu.

Bangash, a student at the University of Kohat, had been living in his tent along with four other fellows since September 1.

Another party worker from Gujranwala said that Khan was their leader and “he must be right in taking such a decision”.

A soon as the main container was removed by the district government, the Capital Development Authority workers started removing the barb wires and other security equipment put in place for security. A group of friends from Faisalabad were also seen folding rugs and sheets which they used to sit and sleep during all these days.

A couple from Jhang was quite unhappy over the ‘abrupt end’ to the sit-in saying they were not expecting it to happen so quickly.

“It should not have been ended like this. We could avoid playing music and dancing, but we should have continued with the sit-in. What has he achieved,” said Tasawar Hussain. On the other hand, his wife Sabra felt “it was the right time to end it.” The couple had switched to the PTI camp after the Pakistan Awami Tehreek called off its sit-in earlier.

Shah Jehan Amjad, a PTI worker and a resident of Rawalpindi, who used to sell tea and soup to the sit-in participants, was quite dismayed by Khan’s decision, saying the party chief did not take workers into confidence.

Many other party workers said that the sudden decision to end the sit-in left them in the lurch as they had no money to go back to their hometowns.

Muhammad Imran from Azad Jammu and Kashmir said that after the call-off announcement, they were assured by PTI members that monetary assistance will be given to all the sit-in participants, but they were given nothing.

DJ Butt, the man behind the PTI music mania, was happy and said, “Imran Khan encouraged and supported me whenever I arranged innovative music medleys”.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2014.