In a dramatic twist, PTI leaders launched an impassioned social media campaign urging supporters to heed the “Final Call” and flood the streets for a high-profile protest at D-Chowk. Yet, when the moment came, many of these leaders were nowhere to be found.
On November 24, key party figures actively pushed the protest, encouraging people to join them in Islamabad. PTI’s Secretary of Information, Sheikh Waqas Akram, urged the public with a strong message: “Khan’s call is to step out. If you don’t join today, you’ll regret it.” However, despite his enthusiastic appeal, Akram himself failed to show up when the time came.
Hammad Azhar stirred up a buzz online, even sharing updates about crossing rivers, but he too failed to make it to D-Chowk. Former President Arif Alvi, busy sharing emotional poetry, set off with Taimur Jhagra, but neither reached the protest site.
Party Secretary Salman Akram Raja kept followers updated on his whereabouts, only to be spotted aimlessly wandering the streets of Lahore alone. Sahibzada Hamid Raza mocked the police’s efficiency on social media, claiming he was headed to Islamabad, but like many of his colleagues, he vanished without a trace, leaving both protesters and police unable to locate him.
Similarly, PTI’s Karachi leadership remained completely absent, offering no support for their counterparts in Islamabad. The frustration was palpable among PTI workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who had traveled to Islamabad with enthusiasm, only to express anger and disappointment at the lack of involvement from leaders in Punjab and some from KP.
One party worker shared his frustration: “Our boys are very angry and frustrated with the poor performance of our Punjab leadership.” He questioned whether the responsibility for political change was solely on the shoulders of the Pakhtuns.