On November 25, 2024, Pakistan found itself embroiled in yet another wave of political violence, this time at the hands of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. What started as a protest quickly escalated into a violent confrontation that left the country reeling. Despite clear legal directives and unprecedented concessions from the government, PTI's leadership, particularly under the direction of Murad Saeed, ignored the rule of law and led thousands of protesters into clashes with security forces. The aftermath of this event has not only caused significant loss of life and property but has also highlighted a growing, dangerous trend in Pakistan’s politics—one where violence, misinformation, and division threaten the very fabric of the nation.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had intervened in an attempt to maintain order, instructing the interior minister to engage with PTI's leadership and ensure their protests did not disrupt the peace, especially in the capital's Red Zone, where key government buildings and foreign embassies are located. Initially, PTI was asked to delay the protest for the sake of national stability, but after PTI's insistence, the government offered them Sangjani, a designated location far from the sensitive zones.

Despite these efforts to accommodate the PTI, the leadership refused to comply. Instead of adhering to the court’s ruling, PTI pushed forward, leading a violent mob towards the Red Zone. This was not just a defiance of legal orders—it was a deliberate move to escalate tensions, a decision that would soon spiral out of control.

At the heart of this violent chaos was Murad Saeed, a former minister in PTI and a key figure in the party’s militant wing. As the orchestrator of the protest, Saeed led a group of 1,500 militants, including many illegal Afghan nationals, who were armed and trained to use violent tactics against Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). These miscreants, working under Saeed’s command, employed an array of weapons—from firearms to steel sling shots and stun grenades—to force their way into the capital's Red Zone. The objective was clear: provoke law enforcement into retaliating, to create enough violence and chaos that would further fuel their agenda.

Military, law enforcement showed restraint

What made this protest even more alarming was the direct involvement of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government. Resources were mobilized, and government machinery was reportedly used to aid in the violent breach of the capital’s secure zones. These coordinated efforts demonstrated how deeply rooted political violence has become in certain regions of the country. It also showed how political leaders like Saeed, who should have been working for peace, were instead willing to use their positions to incite violence for political gain.

The violent march reached its peak as PTI protesters, armed and determined, clashed repeatedly with LEAs. The results were tragic. Three Rangers personnel and a police officer lost their lives in the violence, while over 230 members of the security forces were injured. The protestors didn’t just fight with police—they attacked police vehicles, set them on fire, and damaged public property. The scenes were chaotic, with fire, destruction, and fear gripping Islamabad.

Despite this, law enforcement showed remarkable restraint. The police and Rangers were deployed without live ammunition, maintaining a level of discipline and control amidst the violence. In contrast, the protesters, shielded by Murad Saeed’s leadership, attacked without mercy. They used weapons, including firearms and makeshift tools like nail-studded batons, against those trying to protect the city. This viciousness was only amplified by the growing role of foreign militants in the mob, which further complicated the situation.

As the situation grew out of control, Pakistan’s military was deployed—but its role was not to engage directly with the rioters. Instead, the army was stationed to protect government installations and ensure the safety of foreign dignitaries. Despite the increasing violence, the military remained focused on its core duties and did not directly intervene in the clashes.

Spread of false narratives

In the aftermath of the violence, the damage wasn’t just physical—it was also psychological. PTI’s social media platforms, armed with their digital army, launched a massive propaganda campaign aimed at shifting blame away from the protesters. They spread fake news, claiming that many protesters had been killed by law enforcement—a claim quickly debunked by hospitals in Islamabad, which found no evidence of gunshot wounds from police action. Despite this, the coordinated fake news campaign continued, using AI-generated clips and old footage to fabricate stories of mass casualties.

This campaign wasn’t just an attempt to shift blame—it was an attempt to inflame emotions, create division, and portray PTI as the victim. The danger here was not just in the lies being spread but in how easily they were accepted, even by some foreign media outlets. This spread of false narratives only deepened the divisions in the country, sowing distrust and confusion among the people.

The costs of the violent protests were staggering. Initial damage assessments indicated that the violence caused hundreds of millions of rupees in direct losses, including the destruction of police vehicles and public property. But the indirect economic losses were even greater. Experts estimate the daily cost of the unrest at around 192 billion rupees, not including the enormous expenditure on security measures required to manage the chaos.

A polarized and divided nation

Beyond the economic losses, the social cost of these protests was equally devastating. The violence and propaganda efforts have further polarized an already divided nation. PTI’s role in stirring up chaos in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—where the party holds considerable political sway—has left many citizens frustrated and disillusioned with a leadership that seems more focused on power at any cost rather than the well-being of the people.

Pakistan’s struggle for peace and stability is far from over. As the government seeks accountability for those responsible for this violent protest, the need for healing has never been more pressing. PTI’s leadership must be held accountable for their role in inciting violence, spreading misinformation, and damaging the country’s social fabric. But this cannot be done in isolation. The people of Pakistan—across all provinces—must reject the politics of violence and division. They must demand a return to peaceful political discourse, where dialogue and compromise take precedence over bloodshed and chaos.

The future of Pakistan depends on unity, not division. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the broader nation, and the leadership of PTI itself must come together to ensure that violence is never again used as a tool of political gain. The struggle for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Pakistan is one that belongs to all its people—and together they can overcome this dark chapter in the country’s history.

(The author is a contemporary affairs analyst specialising in South Asia and working with an Islamabad-based think tank. Views are personal. She can be reached at saeedsarah088@gmail.com )