A nationwide strike call supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against alleged rigging in the February 8, 2024, general election drew a mixed response today (Sunday).

The protests, called by party founder Imran Khan, include shutter-down strikes and wheel-jams, aimed at raising a voice against electoral irregularities and demanding protection of the public mandate.

PTI Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, in a video message, said the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan has called for peaceful shutter-downs and wheel-jams across the country, with PTI fully supporting the initiative.

He urged supporters to keep shops, businesses, markets, and transport closed for the day.

People were advised to stay home, offer prayers at nearby mosques, and pray for the removal of the government and the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

Supporters were also told to stage peaceful rallies in their areas later in the day with mobile lights or torches to record their protest.

The PTI maintains that its mandate was stolen through rigging in the February 8 elections, which it contested without the party’s traditional electoral symbol, the cricket bat.

After forming a government for the third time in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and emerging as the largest opposition party in the National Assembly, the PTI leadership has frequently alleged serious irregularities in the polls.

The party has repeatedly emphasised on social media platform X that the protest would be completely peaceful, and that no coercion or violence would be used during the shutterdown strikes or wheel-jams.

The party also advised citizens to stock household essentials, medicines, and emergency supplies such as power banks, torches, and extra batteries.

Provincial activities

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI is in power, various protest activities are underway.

In Peshawar, the party announced a march from Hasht Nagri Darwaza to Chowk Yadgar.

In Bannu, a wheel-jam strike is ongoing in line with the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan call, with all major business centres closed.

PTI supporters organised rallies across several areas, with National Assembly member Naseem Ali Shah taking the lead.

In Hangu, however, the mood was noticeably subdued, where supporters criticised the absence of their local MPA and MNA.

A small group gathered at the city’s main square, waving party flags and chanting slogans, but many eventually left, leaving the protest quieter and less energetic than expected.

The situation, however, was quite different in Haripur, where the city experienced a full-scale shutdown.

Markets and shopping centres wore a deserted look, causing immense difficulties for residents.

Some small-vehicle operators also took advantage of the situation and raised fares, much to the chagrin of the travelling public.

However, in Bara, the PTI decided not to stage a strike due to the ongoing relocation and registration of displaced people from the Tirah Valley.

MPA Abdul Ghani announced that markets and commercial centres would remain open.

In Upper Orakzai, the shutter-down strike failed, with markets remaining open and transport running normally.

Traders and shopkeepers kept businesses operational, and transportation continued without disruption.