The PTI will hold a parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday (today) to discuss a wide range of issues, with the party’s strategy for the planned August 5 protest expected to dominate the agenda. The recommendations emerging from the meeting will be taken to the party’s political committee for a final decision.

With calls from within the party and from PTI founder Imran Khan’s family to intensify pressure on the government, the August 5 nationwide protest announced by the TTAP is being viewed by the party as a significant opportunity that could provide the political breakthrough it has long been seeking. According to discussions with party leaders, the PTI intends to play a much more active role in the protest campaign rather than leaving mobilisation solely to the TTAP.

“We know the TTAP, without the PTI, is nothing, so this time the PTI should take the lead and support the TTAP with all its might,” a party leader said. “We have depleted our political capital, so we do not have enough leeway to let the TTAP squander another opportunity.”

When asked what strategy the party should adopt, the leader said the answer was not straightforward. “Unfortunately, we in Punjab are up against a dictatorial regime that is ruthless and merciless,” he said.

Another PTI leader said the party needed to exercise caution in its criticism of the establishment if it hoped to find a way out of the current political stalemate.