On the first anniversary of the May 9 violence, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) struggled to mobilize large crowds nationwide. During this time, party chief Imran Khan tasked former president and PTI leader Arif Alvi with the significant responsibility of initiating dialogue with influential figures.
The announcement came at a press conference featuring PTI leaders, including National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Arif Alvi, and PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan, held outside Adiala Jail following their visit with the former Prime Minister.
Details of Alvi’s specific responsibilities were not disclosed, though he has historically attempted to mediate between Imran Khan and the military establishment. Alvi highlighted the necessity of dialogue and critiqued the ruling coalition’s lack of actual authority.
When asked why PTI sought dialogue outside the ruling parties, Alvi implied the real power lay elsewhere, criticizing the coalition government’s involvement in alleged electoral manipulations.
The PTI spokesperson, Raoof Hasan, expressed the party’s refusal to engage with PML-N, PPP, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, accusing them of benefiting from stolen mandates.
Regarding internal party dynamics, PTI hawk Sher Afzal Marwat was removed from key committees and replaced by former Azad Kashmir PM Abdul Qayyum Niazi in the political committee. This move was seen as an effort to repair ties with Saudi Arabia after Marwat’s controversial claims about the Saudi crown prince’s role in Imran Khan’s ouster.
Omar Ayub reported that Imran Khan had repeatedly instructed Marwat to align with party policies, attributing a strain in Saudi relations to Marwat’s misstatements.
Nationally, PTI supporters faced police action during their protests. In cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar, police easily dispersed gatherings. In Islamabad, four individuals were detained, while in Rawalpindi, over 15 supporters, including a former MPA, were arrested.
In Peshawar, PTI called for the immediate release of Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and detained party workers, also holding rallies in other regions such as Swabi and South Waziristan.
In Karachi, although PTI organized protests at 18 different venues, police action led to the detention of 23 supporters, including three women.
