By Mehrab Shah Afridi/ Dr Zardad wazir/Israr Ahmad Orakzai
LANDI KOTAL/WANA: Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) flooded streets across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal districts on 8 February, heeding the party’s call for a shutdown and mass demonstrations demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan.
From Landi Kotal to Wana and Hangu, rallies in towns and marketplaces highlighted both the party’s deep regional reach and the simmering public discontent over recent electoral outcomes. In Landi Kotal, protesters assembled at Bacha Khan Chowk in the bustling bazaar, joined by senior party figures including Haji Zarbulah Shinwari and the personal secretary of Senator Dr. Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri.
Speaking to the crowd, Haji Zarbulah Shinwari described the day as a “black day” for democracy, alleging election rigging and the theft of the public mandate. Though the shutdown was observed symbolically, shopkeepers were largely left to decide whether to close, reflecting a sensitivity to local hardships.
A similar scene unfolded in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan, where hundreds gathered under tight security to participate in a full shutter-down strike. Local leaders, including MPA Ajab Gul Wazir, emphasized that public silence in the face of electoral violations would amount to complicity, demanding the release of party leaders, protection of democratic values, and respect for the Constitution.
In Hangu, supporters blocked central roads while MNA Yousaf Khan and MPA Shah Tarab addressed the protesters, reiterating allegations of election fraud and calling for transparency in future polls. Although traffic was disrupted, most shops remained open, reflecting cautious engagement from local traders and the community’s attempt to balance protest with everyday life.
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