Reflecting on PTI’s empty promises, it brings to mind a moment from Pervez Musharraf’s time when he received countless messages on the internet urging him to return, claiming that people would support him.
Yet, when he arrived at Karachi airport, he found himself alone, with no one in sight. A similar situation seems to be unfolding with “Jinnah Third” and his wife.
The question arises: aside from the Pashtuns, how many people from other provinces actually took to the streets demanding Khan’s release?
It appears that only the youth from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Ali Amin Gandapur, kept their word. The rest, largely disillusioned and trapped in poverty, were misled by false promises of rewards and recognition.
The failure of such leadership becomes evident when the establishment’s support is absent. This is the same fate that has befallen PTI. The political instability in places like Parachinar, where sectarian violence continues to take lives, and Balochistan, where separatism is on the rise, is alarming. Even Chinese nationals have become victims of the growing unrest. With all these challenges, one must question where this political turmoil will take us. The consequences of rash decisions could be dire. Had PTI supporters not fled but instead stood firm, the aftermath would have been far more catastrophic, likely resulting in many of its leaders seeking refuge abroad.