The PTI rally in Peshawar, in the only provincial capital it holds sway, was not really meant to mark the start of any new movement, but merely to keep party activity going. This was the first rally since the ill-fated gathering in Islamabad last year. KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur had left that gathering by showing a clean pair of heels after that rally was broken up, but had no such worries, as he left with the police showing him the respect due a CM in his capital. The presence of party Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was something for the party faithful to co celebrate, albeit quietly, for his attempts to resign seem to have been controlled. The depth to which the party has sunk may be seen by the fact that the message from the party founder, Imran Khan, that was supposed to be the high point of the rally, was not a recording smuggled illegally out of jail, but apparently the repetition of a previous rally address. That reflects either an increased strictness by the jail authorities, or simply the low priority he placed on this rally. The former reflects lowered chances of the kind of deal which would result in his being released. The latter would indicate that he and the party faithful have nothing but waiting to do.
The PTI seems to have run out of options, and though it remains a political force, it no longer represents a tsunami which will sweep everything before it. Its continued electoral appeal needs testing, but that was prevented by the staying of the by elections on the seats vacated after a slew of convictions in the cases faced by party leaders and legislators of involvement in attacks on military establishments on 9 May 2023.
Mr Khan continues to face legal troubles, and has been convicted of corruption and misuse of power, but now is being tried for his role in the events of 9 May 2023. Paradoxically, even if he is convicted, his legal troubles will be over. His opponents will have nothing else to throw at him, and he can then begin the waiting game. However, he is already 71, and every day of inaction is much weightier than for a younger man. His age is now so great that even if a deal of some kind is made, is interlocutors must consider whether he will be physically able to carry the burden of first campaigning, and then of leading the country.
