PTI leader and senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja has reaffirmed that the party remains united despite recent internal rifts, asserting that the decision regarding Sher Afzal Marwat’s departure is final and irreversible.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail after meeting PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, Raja said that those dismissed from the party were expelled on solid grounds. “Whether it is Sher Afzal or anyone else, the party founder has said he stands with party officials,” Raja added.

He further said that whoever insults or manhandles someone will not be part of the party, adding that Imran Khan wants to give a chance to those who did not remain in touch.

He further stated that there is no leniency for those who voted against party directives, and action will be taken accordingly. “The founder has expressed happiness regarding the high court bar elections,” he stated.

He further remarked that the prison system was subordinate to those forces that had no connection with the prison system, adding that a meeting with Bushra Bibi was not being allowed, and Imran Khan had only been allowed to speak to his children four times in six months.

Raja announced that, on the instructions of the PTI founder, he would write a letter to the chief justice of Pakistan to raise these key concerns. He dismissed rumours surrounding the founder’s health, calling them baseless.

He also mentioned that Alia Hamza and Shoaib Shaheen have been given the responsibility of organizing party affairs, while Imran Khan has expressed full confidence in Junaid Akbar’s presidency of the provincial chapter.

Salman Akram Raja emphasized that PTI’s leadership is committed to strengthening the party, ensuring discipline, and addressing internal conflicts decisively. He reiterated that PTI will continue to fight for the rights of Sindh and won’t allow any compromise on the province’s water share.

“Sindh has been ruled by the tribesmen for too long; we stand with every oppressed person in the country,” Raja declared.

Concerns over cricket

Raja stated that the PTI founder is very depressed regarding cricket. “Those who consider public affiliation a joke are mocking the sentiments of the people,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, lawyer Faisal Chaudhry revealed that PTI’s founder has called for the resignation of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He believes Naqvi is responsible for the decline of Pakistan’s cricketing standards, stating that merit has been ignored, leading to the team’s poor performance.

He quoted Imran Khan as saying that Sher Afzal Marwat was given warnings, but he did not correct his behaviour, adding that Marwat will be dealt with accordingly.

Chaudhry also raised concerns over delays in legal matters, including the signing of the power of attorney, which he claimed had been postponed multiple times despite being handed over for a week.