The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s march on Islamabad, followed by intra-party disagreements and the controversy regarding the decision to lead the vanguard of protesters to D-Chowk and the unverified claims about the death toll of PTI supporters have led the party into a political quagmire. Keeping the party’s support base intact and addressing the troubles faced by its incarcerated leader, Imran Khan, are the major challenges currently confronting the PTI.

The latest protest rally not only exposed the organisational flaws in the party but also triggered a rift between its moderate and hawkish factions. The protest marked a poor political debut for Bushra Bibi, who assumed her role as the temporary figurehead of the PTI. She pushed her decision to lead the rally to D-Chowk. This decision and Imran Khan’s refusal to heed advice to initiate a dialogue with the other political forces, a lack of coordination among PTI leaders and the inflexible decisions taken by Bushra Bibi and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur have landed the PTI and its leaders, particularly Imran Khan, in new difficulties.

Bails granted to Imran Khan in several cases related to the May 9 incidents have been withdrawn. An Anti-Terrorism Court in Adiala Jail has indicted Imran Khan, Omar Ayub Khan, former Punjab minister Raja Basharat and several others in the GHQ attack case. Meanwhile, the National Accountability Bureau has issued arrest warrants for Bushra Bibi in a Toshakhana case. Additionally, authorities have imposed new restrictions on PTI leaders’ meeting with Imran Khan. Various police teams have started interrogating him in the May 9 cases. These developmens are widely perceived as government’s reaction to the D-Chowk protest.

In off-the-record discussions with The News on Sunday, several PTI leaders blamed Bushra Bibi and Chief Minister Gandapur for the party’s increasing troubles and Imran Khan’s predicament. Appearing in several TV shows, Senator Faisal Vawda, formerly a close associate of Imran Khan, has voiced his reservations about Bushra Bibi’s role in party affairs. Some of the statements attributed to Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan also align with Vawda’s remarks and point to a rift between the sisters-in-law.

Bails granted to Imran Khan in several cases related to the May 9 incidents have been withdrawn. An Anti-Terrorism Court in Adiala Jail has indicted Imran Khan, Omar Ayub Khan, former Punjab minister Raja Basharat,and several others in the GHQ attack case.

Highly informed PTI insiders tell TNS on the condition of anonymity that senior PTI leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Punjab are unhappy about Bushra Bibi’s involvement in party affairs and her dismissive attitude towards veteran members. One insider says, “I can tell you with authority that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is also irked by Bushra Bibi’s activities although she is a guest at the Chief Minister’s House.” He adds, “She has been directing party leaders without consulting anyone else and issuing commands to the provincial bureaucracy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She has been acting like a de facto chief minister of the province, expecting bureaucrats, ministers and party leaders to blindly follow her directives. She is seen trying to control the party and the provincial government.”

The insiders say that some of the PTI leaders have talked to Imran Khan about Bushra Bibi’s role in decision-making. They say Khan has assured them that he will address the matter.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, a group of senior PTI leaders is working to bring Imran Khan and the ruling parties to the negotiation table. PTI insiders believe that Imran Khan may be more willing now to engage in a dialogue with other political forces. They see this as the only viable path forward for the PTI and the country.

The writer is a senior journalist, teacher of journalism, writer and analyst. He tweets at @BukhariMubasher