Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) – read Imran Khan – has decided to postpone its October 4 rally at the behest of party members who wish to avoid a clash with the government ahead of the NA-122 by-election in Lahore. But before the government and the citizens of Islamabad can breathe a collective sigh of relief, the chairman has announced that an alternative rally is to be held in Lahore on October 9, and once the election is over the protest in Islamabad will continue as planned. The PTI seems to have learned a few lessons from the infamous Dharna – they will avoid direct confrontation – but the learning goes only so far; Imran Khan is convinced that his crusade against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is just and a sit-in is the correct way to fight this battle.

The October 9 rally is a multi-purpose one; it will be a alternative protest at a much less controversial venue, it will be a statement of intent for the coming local government polls, and will galvanize support for the by election in NA-122. Were PTI to restrict itself to such harmless political demonstrations, the political process, and the coming election, would be a lot smoother. Alas, the chairman has tasted blood, the

Dharna days were the party’s glory days, when Imran Khan was the centre of attention and the party dominated the public narrative. Understandably, he is a little nostalgic. A new Dharna, a fresh cause, will surely revitalise the PTI support base that has taken significant hits since then, but it also threatens to bring back the same instability and uncertainty that surrounded the original protest.

On the other hand, the fact the PTI considers the ECP inept, and contends that if its four provincial heads do not step down the electoral process will be tainted, does not stop it from contesting elections. The ECP is bad, but skipping a chance to be in power is even worse. Such a principle contradiction would sink other parties, but PTI is above all this.

Regardless, it must be appreciated that elements within the PTI recognize the destabilising effects of their actions, and that they can exert enough influence in the party to sway decisions. How long can they hold out in the face of Imran Khan’s insistence remains to be seen.