PTI rejects reports of internal divisions in KP

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has rejected reports of internal differences, expressing confidence in the party leadership and insisting that no factions exist within the organisation.

The declaration was made during a meeting attended by most members of the provincial parliamentary party. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, provincial general secretary Ali Asghar Khan and acting provincial president Noorul Haq Qadri also attended the meeting on special invitation.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the parliamentary party reaffirmed its confidence in Gohar and said political and organisational decisions would be made in accordance with the directions of party founder Imran Khan, mutual consultation and collective agreement.

The statement comes amid growing speculation about differences among PTI leaders following the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in the province. Recent exchanges between senior party figures on social media have further fuelled questions about internal unity.

Former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja recently traded accusations online. Raja warned against attempts by what he called undemocratic decision-makers to undermine internal consensus. Gandapur, meanwhile, challenged him to substantiate his allegations or apologise.

On Thursday, the PTI central secretariat also ruled out a change in the K-P chief minister’s office, confirming that Sohail Afridi would retain the position with Imran’s backing.

Emergency and governor’s rule were imposed in K-P on October 11 after negotiations between the government and opposition failed. Reports of Afridi’s detention also emerged as the PTI’s long march towards Islamabad continued.

The provincial parliamentary party said it must have effective representation in future protest movements, negotiations and political decision-making. It also stressed that earlier decisions reached through consensus should be respected.

The meeting strongly opposed the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, describing the measures as contrary to the public mandate, democratic principles and constitutional requirements.

The party vowed to challenge the decisions through constitutional, legal, judicial and political forums.

Participants also raised concerns over the transfer of administrative powers in 12 districts, including the merged tribal districts. They opposed any move to reverse the administrative integration of the former tribal areas.

The parliamentary party decided to convene a joint jirga of tribal elders and representatives of other political parties to develop a collective strategy against the measures.

The meeting condemned what it described as political victimisation under the pretext of counterterrorism. It cited raids on party workers’ homes, arrests, detentions under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) laws and the removal of PTI flags and signboards from development projects.

The participants demanded an immediate end to these actions and called for political workers to be allowed to exercise their constitutional and legal rights.

The statement also condemned the reported unconstitutional detention or arrest of Afridi, the provincial assembly speaker and other elected representatives. It demanded their immediate release and the restoration of their political activities.

The parliamentary party expressed serious concern over Imran’s health and demanded reliable information about his medical condition. It also called for immediate access to the PTI founder and meetings with his family members and lawyers.

Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, remain incarcerated at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Both were sentenced to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case on December 20, 2025. In January 2025, an accountability court also sentenced Imran to 14 years and Bushra to seven years in the £190 million corruption case.

The meeting separately expressed concern over Bushra’s detention and the custody of Imran’s sisters. It demanded adequate medical facilities, access to legal assistance, justice for Bushra and the release of his sisters.

The issue gained further attention after Noreen Niazi, 70, was admitted to Lahore’s Punjab Institute of Cardiology earlier this week following a deterioration in her health while in custody.

According to her legal counsel, the family had not been informed about her treatment or granted access to her during the process. Noreen and Dr Uzma were detained on September 21, a day after their sister Aleema Khan was also taken into custody under Section 3 of the Punjab MPO Ordinance, 1960. Their detention was subsequently extended for another 30 days on October 7.