The recent rally staged by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the outskirts of Islamabad was a notable anticlimax. Designed to be a powerful show of strength and a direct challenge to the current government, it fizzled in impact. The turnout was underwhelming, primarily comprising local party supporters rather than a nationwide mobilised force. With local leaders at the helm and scant attendance, the event could be a moment for introspection within PTI about the efficacy of their current strategy.

Adding to the rally’s lacklustre outcome were the legal troubles that ensued. The government’s issuance of notices for violations of the agreed route and timing highlighted a disorganised execution and strained adherence to legal frameworks. But perhaps the most glaring issue was the agenda—or rather, the lack thereof. The rally, instead of addressing pressing political issues or national policy, was centred on a singular demand: the release of Imran Khan.

While the release of a political figure is undeniably a matter of concern, leveraging public rallies to influence legal proceedings appears both naive and ineffective. Imran Khan’s ongoing legal troubles, including the contentious cases from 9 May, are complex and bound by judicial processes that rallies alone cannot alter.

In the grand scheme, the rally seems to have been a misguided endeavour. It was an exercise in futility, squandering valuable time and resources on a spectacle that achieved little beyond drawing attention to its own shortcomings. For PTI, this episode should serve as a wake-up call to recalibrate their approach and address the real issues with substance rather than showmanship.