PTI Protest Call Triggers Patchy Shutdown Across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR: A province-wide wheel-jam and shutter-down strike called by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday in protest against alleged rigging in the February 8, 2024 general elections drew a mixed response across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, with significant mobilisation in some urban centres and limited disruption in others.In the provincial capital, Peshawar, PTI workers staged demonstrations and attempted to enforce closures along several major roads and highways. Public transport services were suspended in parts of the city, though the government-operated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system continued to function. Taxi services also remained operational in multiple localities.Despite the strike call, business activity continued in several areas of Peshawar. Numerous shops remained open, while food outlets and stores selling essential commodities operated in select markets. The Food Street at Fawara Chowk in Peshawar Cantonment remained fully functional, and most businesses along University Road also continued operations. PTI Deputy Information Secretary Ikram Khatana said the party was observing a complete strike across all districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and organising protest rallies at the district level. In Peshawar, a foot march was scheduled from Hashtnagri to Chowk Yadgar, with participation expected from party leadership, workers, and members of the traders’ community. The march was to be led by PTI K-P President Junaid Akbar, who, along with other senior leaders, was expected to address supporters at Chowk Yadgar.Similar demonstrations were planned across the province, to be led by PTI MNAs and MPAs in their respective constituencies. Outside the capital, however, the impact of the strike remained uneven. In Swabi, markets, shopping centres, and commercial hubs remained open, and traffic flowed normally throughout the district. Lower Dir also reported routine business activity, with public transport services operating on schedule.In Charsadda, shops and markets across the district remained open with no major traffic disruption, though PTI announced a protest demonstration at Farooq-e-Azam Chowk at 3:00 pm. Local authorities confirmed the deployment of approximately 4,200 police personnel to maintain law and order.The provincial protests unfolded against a broader national backdrop, with PTI and allied opposition parties reiterating their commitment to countrywide protests and strikes, describing February 8 as both a “Black Day”. and a “Day of Mourning.”In response, authorities tightened security measures. Section 144 was imposed in parts of Islamabad, and steps were taken to restrict mobilisation. At the same time, several opposition leaders condemned a recent deadly blast in the capital and called for peaceful demonstrations and restraint.Amid rising tensions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the administration in neighboring Punjab moved to prevent any spillover of protests. The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, imposed Section 144 across the district for 15 days, effective from February 7 to February 21, 2026. The order, citing intelligence reports from the District Intelligence Committee, warned of an “imminent threat” and potential attempts by certain groups to disrupt law and order near sensitive installations and major roads.Under the restrictions, all assemblies, rallies, and demonstrations involving five or more persons have been banned. The Rawalpindi administration has also prohibited the carrying of weapons, use of loudspeakers, pillion riding, and any attempts to obstruct police-enforced movement restrictions.