PTI’s protest call draws lacklustre response in Peshawar

PTI's protest call draws lacklustre response in Peshawar.

Key points

• Mohammad Ashfaq Published October 13, 2026 Updated October 13, 2026 09: 36am.
• What the PTI had called a "flash protest" was staged in Nishtarabad, Hashtnagri and Sikandarpura, attracting just 15-20 workers.
• Around 20 PTI workers and supporters additionally demonstrated in Jamrud but dispersed after the police chased them near the Jamrud Press Club.
• Asked regarding the future course of action, the PTI leader stated the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-I-Pakistan (TTAP) had convened a session today (Tuesday) to decide the next steps.
• After the proclamation of emergency in the province, the PTI's local cabinet met on Monday, with senior vice-president Senator Noorul Haq Qadri in the chair.

Mohammad Ashfaq Published October 13, 2026 Updated October 13, 2026 09: 36am. Join our Whatsapp Channel.

PESHAWAR: With riot police and prison vans deployed throughout the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, only a handful of Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf (PTI) workers stepped out on Monday to stage brief protests in different areas of the city.

What the PTI had called a "flash protest" was staged in Nishtarabad, Hashtnagri and Sikandarpura, attracting just 15-20 workers. No former minister, MPA or MNA turned up.

PTI Peshawar district president Irfan Saleem had pressed the protest on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the workers would emerge from streets, shout slogans against the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in the province and disperse upon approaching the riot police. Only handful of workers stage brief protests.

In practice, a senior PTI leader wondered how the workers could stage a protest if thousands of police personnel were deployed on all roads and intersections of the city.

He informed Dawn that the police did not allow workers to demonstrate and that the party leadership had categorically instructed them to avoid clashes with the police and security forces.

During the session, the party's deputy general secretary, Nawaz Shangla, presented a declaration that was adopted by the participants.

For context, the session strongly condemned what it described as the federal government's undemocratic measures, including the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in the province. It termed the removal of an elected administration an attack on the public mandate and democratic values.

In practice, the arrest of former chief minister Sohail Afridi, PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan, provincial assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Khalid Khurshid and other party leaders was additionally condemned as shameful.

Notably, the participants demanded the immediate release of Sohail Afridi and other arrested leaders. They additionally praised Mr Afridi for refusing to produce any compromise on people's mandate.

Notably, the party's provincial cabinet further condemned the governor's maiden address to the individuals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, describing its tone as dictatorial. It instructed party workers to hold peaceful protests throughout the province against the federal government's "illegal actions".

Meanwhile, the participants remarked the PTI would continue its struggle for democratic rights, constitutional supremacy and the protection of the public mandate. They additionally called on an end to political victimisation and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the democratic system, constitutional rights and political stability in the province.

Our Correspondent from Khyber adds: The situation in the tribal district remained relatively calm though some PTI workers staged a protest demonstration in Bara on Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the protesters dispersed after police fired gunshots into the air and created some arrests.

Notably, a small demonstration was held in Landi Kotal after the imposition of governor's rule and emergency.

Overall, the situation remained calm and under control, with all roads, including the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway, open. Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026.

Mohammad Ashfaq is a Peshawar-based reporter for Dawn covering educational policy, local administration systems, and provincial politics, including proceedings of the KP Assembly. He can be discovered on X at @mashfaqdawn.

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