Amid mounting internal questions and public pressure, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a high-level consultative meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, bringing together senior leadership, parliamentarians, and party organizers from across the country.
One of the key points of contention raised during the joint session was the absence of a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan prior to the approval of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) budget. Several members questioned why party leadership bypassed Khan’s directive to consult with him before moving forward.
Shahid Khattak voiced particular concern, asking, “If the political committee had passed the budget, why did Salman Akram Raja tweet otherwise?” This contradiction, he noted, contributed to confusion and perceived divisions within the party ranks.
Barrister Gohar denies rifts, emphasizes unity
Responding to the criticism, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan firmly denied the existence of serious rifts within the party, saying, “We have no personal differences. Today’s meeting was meant to convey a message of unity. We are one party and will remain united, InshaAllah.”
He clarified that the party was fully prepared to launch a movement when instructed by the founder and emphasized the need for discipline and patience among members and workers.
Raja vows to continue legal, political struggle
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja reassured party members that losing reserved seats will not deter the party’s mission. “Even if our seats are snatched and the judiciary is overwhelmed, we will not back down. The people of Pakistan won’t forget,” he said. He added that the PTI’s commitment to justice and accountability remains firm despite the current political climate.
Resolutions passed: Release of Imran Khan, protest strategy
The leadership passed several resolutions during the meeting, including one demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan and other political prisoners. Members also expressed serious concern over the health conditions and deaths of PTI workers who were released from jail.
Sheikh Waqas Akram highlighted the deaths of at least 10 workers, including Yousuf Khan, Waqas Gujjar, and Iftikhar Jutt, due to critical health issues such as cancer and hepatitis following prolonged incarceration. He called on the chief justice of Pakistan to initiate an investigation into these deaths, noting that many workers fell ill during or immediately after detention.
Gandapur defends budget approval
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur defended his government’s decision to approve the provincial budget despite the founder’s instructions to delay. “I understood that Khan Sahib did not want to dissolve the provincial government. That’s why I moved forward with the budget,” Gandapur explained.
He touted the government’s performance in KP, claiming that the provincial surplus had grown by Rs250 billion over the past 15 months. He also highlighted the restoration of the Sehat Card program and the passage of a tax-free budget.
“There were no drone attacks or unrest during the PTI’s previous term,” he added, criticizing the current government for undermining public trust in state institutions.
Debate over protest strategy and political dialogue
The meeting also saw spirited discussions over the PTI’s future political strategy. Leaders like Zartaj Gul and Ali Muhammad Khan supported holding political talks and district-level protests instead of mass mobilization in Islamabad. “If the founder calls for protests, we must activate party workers at the tehsil and district levels,” Zartaj stated.
Ali Muhammad urged Barrister Gohar to convince Imran Khan to engage in political dialogue, stating, “Talks should be held, and we must find a path forward.”
Call for reconciliation alongside resistance
Despite the robust internal debate, PTI leaders maintained that their movement does not aim to incite confrontation. “We are not giving a message of conflict. Alongside resistance, we are also talking about reconciliation,” said Barrister Gohar during a joint press conference with Gandapur.
Gandapur, however, issued strong remarks against state actions, saying, “We are being treated like inferiors for the past eight decades. But if the government tries to topple us unconstitutionally, we will not back down.”
He added, “I challenge the state: If they succeed in toppling our government, I will leave politics.”
Nationwide movement after Ashura
Sources say the PTI is now preparing to launch a nationwide protest movement after the conclusion of Muharram. A resolution to this effect was reportedly passed during the consultative session. The movement is expected to include legal and political components, focusing on constitutional rights, electoral transparency, and the release of political detainees.
