PTI protest to go on without Mastan Khan and his iconic golden jeep

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to launch a “peaceful, countrywide protest movement” starting tomorrow. However, the PTI protest has already lost some of its momentum due to the party leadership’s inability to formulate a clear strategy.

The protest aims to register dissent against the “unjust” incarceration of PTI founder Imran Khan, coinciding with the second anniversary of his arrest. Khan was taken into custody from Zaman Park on August 5, 2023, following his conviction in the Toshakhana case.

Chairman IK arrested from Zaman Park Lahore

— Intazar Hussain Panjutha (@intazarpanjutha) August 5, 2023

PTI protest loses steam

PTI had also organized a protest movement on August 5, 2024, marking the first anniversary of Khan’s arrest. But this year’s protest appears to have already lost steam.

First, the verdicts in the May 9 cases – sentencing several party leaders to up to 10 years in prison – have demoralized party workers.

Second, the leadership’s failure to present a clear protest plan has left supporters confused and unmotivated.

But perhaps the most symbolic blow – which many never noticed – came from an unexpected loss: the passing of Mastan Khan Wazir.

A familiar and beloved figure at nearly every PTI rally over the past two decades, Mastan Khan was known for his iconic golden jeep, thick mustache, and ever-smiling face.

He passed away at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad on Saturday, August 2 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Who was Mastan Khan?

Originally hailing from Miami Kabul Khel in Tehsil Shewa of North Waziristan, Mastan Khan had later settled in Multani Landidak, Bannu. His funeral prayers were offered on Sunday, August 3, in the same locality.

Besides his fame in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mastan Khan was a familiar figure on Islamabad’s roads for his golden jeep, trademark waistcoat adorned with a gold cricket bat emblem, and fingers stacked with gold rings.

Aged 70, Mastan Khan had carved a niche for himself in the capital’s public eye — not through politics or celebrity, but through sheer presence. His iconic golden jeep, a carefully decorated fusion of Pashtun cultural aesthetics and traditional truck art flair, frequently turned heads.

His entrance was often heralded by blaring Pashto music emanating from his jeep, a spectacle that never failed to draw attention, and selfies.

‘Three wives and 26 children’

In a widely circulated video interview on Facebook, Mastan Khan shared that he had married three times and fathered twenty-six children. He was, at the time, contemplating a fourth marriage.

His bushy moustache and traditional Waziri turban were part of his unmistakable identity. When asked about his moustache, he smiled and said, “I’ve been maintaining them for the past 45 years… they are my signature.”

He would often drive his golden jeep slowly through the city, a deliberate choice, he explained, to keep his thick, carefully groomed moustache from being disturbed by the wind.

Fellow party workers and admirers took to social media to mourn the passing of a devoted supporter of Imran Khan and a long-time PTI loyalist, describing Mastan Khan as a man whose generosity, humour, and unique spirit brought joy to every room he entered.

“He was more than just a character; his zest for life was reflected in everything he did, from the careful upkeep of his famous moustache to the pride he took in every detail of his jeep’s extravagant design,” wrote one user.

Mastan Khan leaves behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and unshakable loyalty. His absence at the PTI protest will be deeply felt, not only by the party workers but also by the twin-cities’ residents, who cherished capturing a moment with him in a single frame.