ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sit-ins are likely to end before Eid, as the two parties have gradually lost their internal support and funding.
A well-placed source in the PTI said that they had been conveyed by Dr Tahirul Qadri that he had decided to wrap up his protest campaign and sit-in at the D-Chowk. Keeping the PAT chief’s decision in view the PTI has also started thinking changing its exit strategy.
“The party leadership has thoroughly discussed their sit-in with Imran Khan, as the PTI followers’ strength swells only on weekends and if the PAT decides to end the protest then it would be embarrassing for the PTI.
This is the reason that the top leadership has decided to review the protest strategy and expand it to countrywide. The final decision would be taken in the PTI core committee meeting which would be held after the Lahore procession today (Sunday),” informed the source.
The source said this was the main reason that the party’s vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi had hinted at shifting the protest to other cities including the Punjab and Sindh. All this is being done after Dr Qadri’s decision which although he has not announced but conveyed to the PTI leadership.
The source said the party would continue its token protest in the federal capital and at the same time launch the protest campaign countrywide.
Another source privy to the development said Dr Qadri’s decision to end protest was the result of recent high level changes in the country. He said both the parties had lost all the hopes they had attached to some powerful circles and this had compelled them to wrap up their campaign as soon as possible.
On the other hand, a well-placed source in the PML-N and member of federal cabinet said that the government was already sure that both the parties would end their protest before Eid as nobody would be ready to stay away from their families on such an occasion.
“The government is well aware that the workers and followers are tired now and they want this series of protest to end as soon as possible.”
“However the leadership of both the parties compelled them to stay at D-Chowk just to get their names registered in the Guinness book of world records.”
“The government’s strategy was not to disturb the protestors if they do not create any chaos and remain peaceful and believes that they will leave for their native cities by Eid,” commented the source.
After getting out of this uncertain situation and pressure, the PML-N-led government has decided in principle not to take any action against the PTI and PAT protesters if they remain peaceful. INTERNEWS
