PTI leaders express frustration over 'delay' in launching movement for Imran Khan's release

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares to begin registration for the 'Imran Khan Release Movement' after Eid, several party leaders have voiced their displeasure over what they see as unnecessary delays, urging the immediate launch of the protest movement rather than spending time on a membership drive.

Background of the release movement

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had announced the formation of the Imran Khan release force in February, following a days-long protest that failed to pressure the government into allowing a meeting with the jailed PTI founder. CM Afridi had stated at the time that the force would work to secure relief for the imprisoned party leader.

However, the announcement had caused divisions within the party, with leaders initially questioning the rationale behind creating such a release force.

Growing impatience within PTI ranks

Last week, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja announced that the registration process for the release force would commence after Eid. But according to a report in Dawn, party insiders have described the membership drive as a "waste of time" and are demanding that the movement be launched without further delay.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, party leaders appeared restive about the decision to prioritise registration over direct action. The sentiment among several PTI figures is that the party should move swiftly rather than engage in what they view as procedural exercises that do not contribute to the core objective of securing Imran Khan's release.

Jailed PTI leaders speak out

Meanwhile, jailed PTI leaders have also weighed in on the broader political situation, stating that the country is on a "downward slide on every front." Their remarks underscore the growing frustration within the party's ranks, both among those behind bars and those leading organisational efforts on the outside.

The tensions within PTI reflect an ongoing internal debate over strategy and timing. While the party leadership appears committed to proceeding with the registration process as a precursor to the broader movement, a significant section of the leadership believes that the urgency of the situation demands immediate mobilisation rather than a phased approach.

The PTI has been grappling with mounting challenges since the arrest of its founder Imran Khan, with the party's organisational capacity and protest strategy frequently becoming points of internal contention. The formation of the release force was initially seen as a unified step forward, but the subsequent delays and procedural requirements have reignited debate about the party's direction.

With the post-Eid period expected to mark the beginning of the registration process, all eyes will be on whether the PTI leadership can bridge the internal divide and present a cohesive front in its campaign for Imran Khan's release.