Low turnout at PTI Swabi rally due to rifts, lack of funds

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally held in Swabi on February 8 saw a lower-than-expected turnout, reportedly due to internal divisions within the party and a lack of funds for mobilizing workers, sources said.

According to party insiders, a large number of workers could not be gathered for the event, resulting in an attendance of only 5,000 to 6,000 people.

Sources claimed that the back section of the venue remained empty throughout the rally.

Participation from workers in Peshawar, Mardan, and Malakand was notably lower than anticipated.

Reports suggested that some provincial ministers and MPAs did not have funds to arrange transportation for workers to the rally.

A few lawmakers had requested financial support from Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, but sources indicated that no special funds were allocated for the event this time.

In the past, CM Gandapur used to provide funds to PTI lawmakers for mobilizing workers for party rallies, sources said.

Speaking to Geo News, Adviser to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif dismissed claims of a low turnout, insisting that the rally was successful and attracted a large crowd. He also alleged that convoys coming from Punjab were blocked, affecting attendance.

Meanwhile, CM’s spokesperson, Faraz Mughal, Geo News that while the chief minister had personally funded some lawmakers to help bring workers to the event, no official funds were released.

PTI Peshawar Regional President Muhammad Asim, speaking to Geo News, confirmed that no special financial assistance was provided to lawmakers for the rally. However, he maintained that despite this, a significant number of workers participated in the event.