PTI’s Nov 24 protest: Bushra Bibi holds meetings at KP CM House to mobilise workers

PESHAWAR: Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, has been making efforts to mobilise the rank and file of the party to ensure maximum participation of workers in the upcoming protest slated for November 24.

Sources privy to the developments told the Geo News that the Chief Minister’s House had become the centre of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s political activities as the party was making preparations for the planned protest. They said that Bushra Bibi held a series of meetings at the Chief Minister’s House with the PTI leaders from Hazara, Malakand and Balochistan.

The sources said that Bushra Bibi was playing the key role in mobilising the party workers to stage the protest to demand the release of Imran Khan.

The sources added that PTI leaders from Malakand Division, including Abdul Latif, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Surayya Bibi and Saleem-ur-Rehman, participated in the discussions.

Representing the Hazara Division, Umar Ayub, Akbar Ayub, Arshad Ayub and Fazl-ul-Haq were in attendance. From Balochistan, PTI Women’s Wing president Safia Kakar, along with five other members, joined the meetings.

The sources said that Bushra Bibi was actively engaging with PTI leaders to convey messages from the party’s founder. She called for a renewed effort to secure Imran Khan’s release. She asked the party leaders to intensify their efforts and mobilise workers across all regions for the upcoming protest. According to sources, she urged the participants to ensure participation of PTI workers from all regions, including Balochistan, in the November 24 protest.

Meanwhile, Bushra Bibi held meetings with office-bearers of Insaf Students Federation and other leaders to convey the party’s vision and motivate the younger members. She held the meeting in an effort to intensify efforts to ensure the success of the party’s planned protest.

Sources said that provincial Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi, Shahid Khattak, and Suhail Afridi also attended the meeting, where Bushra Bibi shared the PTI founder’s message and underlined the vital role of youth in the party’s struggle.

Speaking at the meeting, she remarked that the PTI founder had high expectations from the youth. She urged the leaders to actively mobilise young members for the upcoming protest.

In addition to addressing youth leaders, Bushra Bibi also held one-on-one meetings with several party leaders. She met with Gul Zafar, a party leader from Bajaur, to acknowledge his contributions to PTI. She praised Gul Zafar’s efforts on behalf of the party.

The sources further said that Bushra Bibi was engaged in rallying PTI members to ensure the maximum participation in the planned protest.

However, Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif denied that Bushra Bibi had engaged in politics.

In a statement, he said that she had communicated the message of PTI founder to the party workers. He insisted that she was not directly participating in political activities.

Barrister Saif clarified that Bushra Bibi was a Pakistani citizen and the wife of the party founder. “She did not attend any party meetings but merely conveyed the party founder’s messages to the leadership,” he asserted.

Also, talking to Geo News, Mashal Yousafzai, Bushra Bibi’s spokesperson, said that her role in ensuring the party leadership adhered to the directives of PTI founder. “Bushra Bibi is following the instructions of party leader in all matters. As his wife, she is also addressing the party’s concerns regarding his release,” Yousafzai said.

She noted that Bushra Bibi had called for a robust protest under the guidance of PTI founder. “Her actions and words reflect the stance of PTI founder. She is not engaging in politics but rather in a form of ‘jihad’ for justice,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, differences cropped up in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Peshawar chapter, as its city General Secretary Taqdeer Ali formally announced his resignation days before the party’s planned protest. Taqdeer Ali announced his resignation in a video message.

Sources said that more resignations may follow from the district office-bearers.

Earlier, Senior Vice-President Malik Aslam had stepped down. The district leadership had launched efforts to reconcile the disgruntled party leaders but efforts have reportedly been unsuccessful so far.

“Such differences are normal in political parties,” said PTI Peshawar Region President Arbab Asim in a statement. He claimed that the issue would be resolved.

The PTI issued a notification appointing new officeholders for Peshawar City. Rehman Jalal was named General Secretary, Faqir Muhammad as Vice President, Rafeeullah as Senior Vice-President, and Naik Muhammad as Vice President.

Sources said that the rift stemmed from disagreements over the distribution of party positions.