What’s next for Imran Khan’s PTI after Islamabad protest setback?

The frantic escape by party leaders during a security crackdown could hurt the PTI. But the government faces questions too, analysts say.

Islamabad, Pakistan – When a convoy of thousands of supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party arrived in Islamabad on Monday night to rally behind their imprisoned leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, they were urged by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, to stay until his release was secured.

However, within 24 hours, a late night raid by security forces on Tuesday dispersed the crowd, reportedly resulting in casualties among both PTI protesters and law enforcement personnel.

The operation, which began just before midnight, was conducted under a power blackout in central Islamabad, less than 3km (2 miles) from D-Chowk, the public square marking the boundary of the capital’s Red Zone, where many government buildings are located.

Bushra Bibi and Ali Amin Gandapur, the PTI chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, retreated to the northwestern province under the cover of darkness as the operation commenced and security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd. By Wednesday morning, PTI issued a statement announcing it was calling off the protest “for the time being”.

The PTI convoys had moved from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Islamabad, defying court orders banning their entry into the city, to pressure the government on three demands: reclaiming what the party calls its “stolen mandate” from the February elections, the release of political prisoners including Khan and the reversal of a constitutional amendment granting the government control over judicial appointments.

By the time the protesters left, it was the PTI’s leadership that was under pressure, analysts said. None of the