With the PTI determined to march on Islamabad on September 27, the planned protest has already become the subject of a legal challenge in the Islamabad High Court. The petitioner, reportedly an Islamabad trader, has expressed concern that the demonstration could disrupt routine life, commercial activity and the movement of citizens. The case has now been deemed sensitive enough for the IHC to constitute a larger bench, reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities are viewing the proposed protest.
There is little doubt that the government remains deeply concerned about the PTI’s planned show of political strength. The party says the protest is intended to campaign for the “supremacy of the Constitution” and to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan. For the government, however, the prospect of a large PTI gathering in the capital raises fears of disorder and a possible confrontation between protesters and law-enforcement agencies.
Recent events in Karachi illustrate the extent of these concerns. Large sections of the city’s roads were closed on the day KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was scheduled to address a PTI gathering at the Quaid’s mausoleum. Although the Sindh government attributed the closures to security considerations, the timing inevitably raised questions about whether the restrictions were connected to the party’s planned political activity.
The state’s apprehensions cannot simply be dismissed. Pakistan has witnessed violent confrontations during previous political protests, most notably the PTI’s November 2024 demonstration in Islamabad. Such episodes understandably make the authorities wary of another large mobilisation in the capital. But past violence should not become a justification for preventing peaceful political expression.
Two principles must be kept in view. First, peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right. Citizens and political parties must have the space to express their grievances, criticise the government and demand political change through lawful means. Authorities should therefore avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions or creating obstacles that could further deepen political tensions. When legitimate democratic channels are repeatedly constrained, frustration can turn into greater alienation and, in some cases, radicalisation.
At the same time, the right to protest comes with responsibilities. Demonstrations must remain peaceful, and political parties must ensure that their supporters do not attack law-enforcement personnel, damage public or private property, block essential routes indefinitely or intimidate ordinary citizens. Political leaders cannot claim democratic rights while ignoring their responsibility to prevent violence among their supporters.
The PTI is not the only political force using street mobilisation to highlight public grievances. The Jamaat-i-Islami has also organised nationwide sit-ins over fuel prices in recent weeks. One may disagree with the demands or methods of either party, but the broader principle remains the same: peaceful political protest is an essential part of a functioning democracy.
Pakistan is already facing a difficult combination of challenges, including high prices, economic uncertainty, terrorism, political instability and growing concerns over democratic space. In such circumstances, citizens cannot reasonably be expected to remain silent. They have a legitimate right to raise their concerns publicly and demand answers from those in power.
The government’s better option, therefore, is engagement rather than confrontation. Just as authorities engaged with the Jamaat-i-Islami to help manage its protests, a similar effort should be made with the PTI. Political leaders on both sides should agree on a framework that allows the demonstration to take place peacefully while protecting the lives, livelihoods and mobility of ordinary citizens.
The objective should not be to prevent political mobilisation at all costs, nor should protesters treat confrontation with the state as an inevitable outcome. Both sides have a responsibility to exercise restraint. Pakistan has paid a heavy price for political confrontation in recent years and can ill afford another cycle of violence, arrests, road blockades and institutional conflict.
The September 27 protest should therefore be treated as an opportunity to demonstrate political maturity. The state must protect the right to peaceful assembly, while the PTI must guarantee that its protest remains peaceful and disciplined. Dialogue, negotiation and restraint are far more likely to serve the national interest than another showdown on the streets of Islamabad.
Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article
