PTI’s Nationwide Protest: Shutter-Down and Wheel-Jam Strike Fails in Several Cities

Islamabad/Peshawar/Dera Ismail Khan — February 8, 2026
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called for a nationwide peaceful shutter-down and wheel-jam strike today under the platform of Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), protesting alleged rigging in the 2024 general elections, theft of the public mandate, rising inflation, loadshedding, deteriorating law and order, and other public grievances.
However, reports from multiple cities indicate that the strike failed to achieve complete success, with commercial activities continuing as usual in several key areas.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the situation was particularly notable. Provincial PTI President Junaid Akbar remained unsuccessful in enforcing shutter-down and wheel-jam in his home constituency (Malakand division). Local sources reported that markets stayed open and transport remained largely unaffected.
Similarly, in Dera Ismail Khan, the trader community rejected the protest call outright. Markets, shops, and business centers continued normal operations throughout the day, with no significant disruption observed.
The PTI maintains that the protest was aimed at peacefully protecting the people’s mandate and upholding constitutional supremacy. Nevertheless, limited participation by traders and the public in various regions has raised questions about the overall impact of the call.
Mixed reports have emerged from other major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Quetta — some areas saw partial closures while normal routine continued in others.
Further details are awaited as the situation continues to unfold.