A Flawed Attempt at Disruption



On the so-called "final call" of Imran Khan, a large convoy equipped with provincial resources, led by former First Lady Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, made its way to Islamabad. At the Swabi Interchange, they openly challenged the District Police Officer Attock proclaiming, "Pathans are coming; stop us if you can."


The convoy reached Islamabad, loudly claiming the presence of Pathans and boasting that no one could stand against them. While Pathans are globally renowned for their bravery and courage, those leading this convoy were primarily Afghan nationals, with only a few actual Pathans among them, reportedly paid to incite unrest. Their aim was clear: to create panic and disrupt the peace, even as Pakistan hosted the Belarusian president and other high-profile delegations.



Once in the capital, these self-proclaimed, illegitimate representatives of the Pathans chanted slogans against the government and institutions. Their actions were further fueled by Bushra Bibi's provocative speeches, which agitated the crowd and emboldened them to push towards the Red Zone. In their recklessness, two policemen and a Ranger constable lost their lives, while four Rangers embraced shahadat  after being hit by a speeding vehicle from the mob.


The law enforcement agencies, despite the provocations, remained calm and vigilant, determined to prevent unnecessary bloodshed while stopping the crowd from entering sensitive areas. The participants of the so-called final call predominantly came from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan, with no significant representation from other provinces.


As the situation escalated, a security official issued a final warning, giving the offenders five minutes to retreat. The mob underestimated the resolve of the authorities, but the operation, led by the disciplined Pakistan Army, was swift and decisive. Within ten minutes, the operation ended, quashing the movement entirely.


The mob's four demands—releasing Imran Khan from jail, voiding the February 8, 2024, elections, reversing the 26th constitutional amendment, and freeing the prisoners involved in the events of May 9, 2023—were categorically dismissed.


The aftermath left about 1,500 vehicles damaged. Key figures such as Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi sought temporary asylum nearby for six hours, while the second- and third-tier leaders were either captured or fled. Additionally, over 1,000 culprits, among them the majority were Afghans, were detained by the police.


Thus, the so-called "final call" ended in utter failure, marking a decisive defeat for those who sought to challenge the authority of the state and disrupt national peace.