Politics of Protest in Pakistan: Causes and Features of the PTI (2014) Dharna in Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Public protests, agitations and demonstrations are part of the democratic political process. It shapes the polity of a country and transforms social, political and economic aspects. In Pakistan's history, protest or pressure politics has played a significant role. Significant protests in Pakistan have been held against 'election riggings' including the recent one against 2013 general elections (presumably won by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League N). This present study discusses the recent protest 'popularly called Dharna' staged by Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) under the leadership of the present Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad for 126 days against the alleged rigging of elections of 2013. This empirical study explores the causes of PTI Dharna. It is based on the Primary data collected through a random sample of interviews from students, lawyers and political activists in May-June 2019 in Lahore, Nowshera and Peshawar, Pakistan. We argue that the Dharna has multiple features long continued presence, participation of multiple groups, violence and media coverage. However, the dharna has multiple causes. The significant reason of PTI for staging protest against the Nawaz Shairf was the alleged rigging in the general elections of 2013. Other causes of this dharna are to expose corruption and alleged role of establishment for their vested political interests.