Shamim shahid
Following the conclusion of a five-day agitation that resulted in the effective lockdown of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced the formation of the “Imran Khan Release Force” (IKRF). The announcement was made during a press conference held at the premises of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Islamabad on Wednesday.
While the long-term future of this newly proposed force remains uncertain, its immediate political utility appears evident. The move is likely to keep party activists and supporters engaged, particularly during the constitutional and organizational phase of the IKRF. Notably, with the holy month of Ramadan approaching, the formation period may also ensure a temporary pause in protests, sit-ins, and processions, allowing the province a fragile but much-needed calm.
Chief Minister Afridi clarified that the IKRF is essentially a “protest movement” aimed at securing the release of Imran Khan. According to him, repeated violations of court orders have left no option but to launch an organized and peaceful public struggle. Membership will be open to youth across the country, drawing participants from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its affiliated wings, including the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), Youth Wing, Women Wing, Minority Wing, professionals, and supporters from diverse backgrounds.
Afridi has assured that the movement will remain completely peaceful and that Imran Khan himself will dissolve the force upon his release. Membership cards are expected to be issued within days, followed by an oath-taking ceremony in Peshawar after Eid. A strict chain of command will govern the movement, with directives flowing through leadership nominated by Imran Khan.
The stated objectives of the IKRF true freedom, constitutional supremacy, democracy, and free media
resonate strongly with PTI’s political narrative. However, critics argue that the organizational structure and ideological motivations of the IKRF may not differ significantly from past political “forces” established in Pakistan’s history. Comparisons are already being drawn with the Federal Security Force (FSF) formed by former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, as well as other politically motivated youth or pressure groups such as Pakhtoon Zalmay of the National Awami Party, Pasban of Jamaat-e-Islami, and Harakat of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.
The broader political context adds to the complexity. PTI is currently in confrontation not only with the government but also, as widely perceived, with the country’s most powerful state institution the military establishment. Internal divisions and factional rifts within the party further complicate matters. Critics also contend that unrealistic political strategies have gradually eroded PTI’s popularity among segments of the general public. Unlike more centralized political parties, PTI has often struggled with internal discipline, as leaders and workers frequently hold divergent views and strategies.
Against this backdrop, the formation of IKRF could risk intensifying political polarization, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI commands significant public support. The province has already endured decades of terrorism, violence, and economic disruption. Thousands of lives have been lost, infrastructure worth billions destroyed, and business activities severely hampered. Ongoing instability in neighboring Afghanistan continues to add another layer of uncertainty to the region’s political and security landscape.
Given these ground realities, many observers question whether Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular can afford another experiment in the form of a politically mobilized pressure group. Instead of escalating confrontational strategies, there may be space for political engagement and negotiation.
Reports suggest that former Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur maintains working relations with Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, who is considered to have strong institutional connections.
Such channels could potentially provide avenues for dialogue.
Ultimately, the challenge before Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI’s leadership is to carefully reassess prevailing realities. While mobilization may energize supporters, sustainable political solutions often require negotiation, compromise, and strategic patience. The question remains whether the Imran Khan Release Force will pave the way for constructive resolution or deepen existing fault lines in an already fragile political environment.
