The PTI seems to be in a bit of a limbo – fluctuating between internal discord, failed political maneuvering and desperate attempts at rapprochement with the establishment. Recent developments within the party also point to a deepening crisis of leadership, strategy and credibility. We first saw the removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur as PTI KP president and now there is the matter of the expulsion of outspoken party leader Sher Afzal Marwat. Are the internal fractures within the party getting out of control? Well, Gandapur’s sidelining and Marwat’s ouster have certainly exposed the growing tensions among the PTI’s leadership ranks. Some political analysts have suggested that Gandapur was becoming increasingly assertive, prompting a clipping of his wings so to speak. Meanwhile, Marwat has pointed fingers at the PTI secretary general for orchestrating his removal, echoing concerns raised by some former PTI leaders. All in all, the internal squabbling is extremely unsavoury and probably not the best look for a party pitching itself as the voice of resistance.
Compounding the party’s troubles is its contradictory approach to dealing with the establishment. Some reports have said that Gandapur has been attempting to re-establish dialogue with the military, a claim the PTI leadership has denied but insiders have corroborated. The powers-that-be though hardly seem interested, as evidenced by the reaction to the epistolary endeavours from Imran Khan. The inconsistency in the PTI’s strategy is stark: on the one hand, it is seeking reconciliation with the power brokers, while on the other, it is preparing for nationwide protests after Ramazan. How this defines a coherent political course is a question many would be forgiven for asking. The PTI’s recent calls for mass agitation have also failed to gain traction. The lacklustre response to the November 24 and February 8 protests is quite telling of public fatigue and a reluctance to participate in political upheaval, especially post-May 9. With an ostensibly stabilised economy, a judiciary under control following the 26th Amendment and legal mechanisms further consolidating the hybrid regime’s authority, the PTI’s threats of protest do not seem to pose a significant challenge to the current government.
Adding to all this is the PTI’s continued engagement in toxic political discourse, particularly social media campaigns supported by individuals that are seen to be associated with the party targeting women leaders like Maryam Nawaz. It is difficult for a party to claim higher ground when it is seen to show little regard for extending the same principles of fairness and respect to its political opponents. Here are the problems the party is now contending with: a leader in jail, lack of a structured and strategic approach, and vulnerability to both internal dissent and external pressures. Without a clear and unified stance, the party could end up being seen just as a reactionary force rather than a viable political alternative. Do its leaders want that? Because if they don’t then they must address these growing concerns and reassess their approach to governance, opposition and public engagement. The fact is that the PTI’s chaotic internal dynamics and muddled political strategy raise serious questions about its ability to navigate the complex political landscape. Sticking to not talking to other parties, indulging in internal squabbles, and focusing just on gaining favour by the unelected powerful may have worked once but this is not the past and the party risks alienating both its supporters and the power centres it seeks to engage. A change in strategy is needed.