LAHORE – The Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan (TTAP) has refused to shoulder the fallout of what it termed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s impulsive decision, following the PTI’s request that the opposition alliance announce the postponement of its announced Rawalpindi rally in view of recent diplomatic developments.
According to TTAP and PTI leaders, the alliance turned down the request. A TTAP leader, speaking to The Express Tribune, said the party wanted to distance itself from the April 9 rally even before the meeting with party founder Imran Khan.
Lack of Consultation
The TTAP leader alleged that the PTI wanted the alliance to make the announcement on its behalf instead of using its own platform. He added that many leaders were not in favour of the rally from the outset.
He said that on the day the K-P chief minister announced the rally, he had discussed the proposal with party leaders beforehand. According to the TTAP leader, three key PTI leaders had advised the chief minister to consult the alliance first. However, disregarding that advice and under pressure to prove his mettle, he proceeded with the announcement.
Clear Position from the Start
The TTAP leader said the alliance had made it clear early on that it would not participate in the rally due to the lack of prior consultation. He added that when the PTI later approached the TTAP during a leadership meeting to take responsibility for delaying the rally, the alliance refused.
“Our position was very clear — we would not carry the chief minister’s burden,” he said. He added that Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar questioned why the TTAP should take the blame for delaying an event it had not even announced.
Alternative Suggestions
The TTAP leader said the alliance advised the PTI to convene its own party meeting and use its platform to announce the rescheduling. He further suggested that the PTI could instead hold the event on April 25 to mark Youm-e-Tasees.
The TTAP leader also claimed that Imran Khan’s advice was later used to justify a decision that the PTI had already taken prior to the meeting. He added that the PTI was reminded to honour the grand opposition alliance.
PTI’s Internal Reservations
Key PTI leaders, speaking to The Express Tribune earlier in the week, had expressed reservations over the rally, describing it as a hasty decision. The lack of internal consensus within the PTI on the timing and scale of the rally had been evident even before the TTAP’s refusal.
TTAP Spokesperson’s Statement
When contacted, TTAP spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain said the alliance comprises nine parties that were not taken into confidence before the rally was announced. He said the PTI, in its individual capacity, was free to hold any number of events.
However, he maintained that since the TTAP was never part of the decision, it could not be expected to announce its postponement. The spokesperson’s comments underscore the growing rift between the PTI and its opposition allies, who have grown frustrated with what they perceive as unilateral decision-making.
Analysis: A Fractured Opposition
The TTAP’s refusal to carry the “burden” of the PTI’s decision reflects growing tensions within the opposition alliance. The PTI, as the largest party in the alliance, has often acted unilaterally, assuming that its allies would follow. The Rawalpindi rally announcement appears to have been the last straw.
The lack of prior consultation before the K-P chief minister’s announcement was a strategic error. By announcing the rally without TTAP’s input, the PTI put its allies in an awkward position — either support a decision they had no role in making or distance themselves from it. They chose the latter.
The PTI’s subsequent request that the TTAP announce the postponement was perceived as an attempt to shift responsibility. The TTAP’s refusal is a signal that the alliance will not be treated as a rubber stamp.
For the PTI, the episode is an embarrassment. The rally was meant to demonstrate the party’s strength and the opposition’s unity. Instead, it has exposed divisions within the alliance and raised questions about the PTI’s ability to coordinate with its partners.
For the TTAP, the decision to distance itself from the rally is a calculated move. By refusing to participate in an event announced without consultation, the alliance is asserting its independence and demanding respect from its largest partner.
As the political landscape evolves, the PTI will need to work harder to maintain its alliance. The TTAP has made clear that it will not carry the burden of unilateral decisions. The ball is now in the PTI’s court.
