Amid growing signs of internal discord, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership is actively working to prevent the formation of a possible forward bloc within the party.
A crucial parliamentary party meeting, chaired by Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omer Ayub, was held in Islamabad on Monday to address deepening differences among senior leaders.
The meeting saw heated discussions over recent public statements, especially in the wake of allegations leveled by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur against certain party figures.
Barrister Gohar urges restraint
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who was present at the meeting, repeatedly called for calm and unity, urging members to refrain from airing party issues publicly. “Public rhetoric regarding internal matters is not appropriate,” he said, reiterating his earlier warnings to party leaders.
Gohar also briefed the parliamentary party on the distribution of tickets and revealed that the party founder had stated, “I have no member in the Center, so I gave him a seat,” in response to questions about candidate selection.
Sources revealed that Barrister Gohar also met with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to discuss the widening rift within the party. During the meeting, the PTI chairman urged the chief minister to help defuse tensions and resolve the internal issues amicably. In response, Ali Amin assured his full cooperation and expressed a positive stance on ending the differences.
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Moreover, Barrister Gohar is also maintaining constant contact with other senior leaders. PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai downplayed the situation, saying that temporary misunderstandings in a democratic setup are natural. "There are no serious rifts, just some misunderstandings, which we hope will be resolved soon," he stated.
Breakthrough in talks with establishment
Separately, in a media talk, Barrister Gohar Ali emphasized the need for a breakthrough in talks with the establishment, suggesting that talks should continue for the sake of the country’s stability. However, he also stated that a brief pause in such discussions may be necessary under current circumstances.
“The path forward lies in mutual understanding. Despite all differences, we must resolve matters through dialogue,” said the PTI chairman.
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Meanwhile, Gohar also reported that the first meeting of the newly formed opposition alliance is set to take place today. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has proposed that an executive council meeting be held before April 15 to finalize the alliance's strategy. It is expected that more progress will be made in the alliance’s second meeting scheduled for next week, he added.
Party differences 'internal matter'
Following the parliamentary party meeting, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omer Ayub spoke to the media and addressed concerns about internal rifts within the PTI.
“Party differences are an internal matter, and we will resolve them within the party,” he said. “Just like utensils kept together tend to clash, differences are natural in any organization.”
He urged the media and outsiders not to be concerned about internal PTI matters. “These are our own issues, and no one else has any involvement,” Omer Ayub asserted.
He further stated that the leadership is well aware of the concerns raised by some party members. “It is our responsibility to listen to our leaders’ reservations and address them properly.”
Omer Ayub also confirmed that PTI chairman and secretary general are actively handling the situation and will personally speak to the party’s founding chairman to help settle the matter.
Atif Khan demands inquiry committee
Adding to the urgency, PTI’s Peshawar Region President Atif Khan called for the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate controversial statements made by party members. “Without discipline, no house or party can function. If these public statements continue, it will lead to greater conflict,” he warned.
He confirmed that both he and Shahram Tarakai raised the issue of internal rifts during the meeting, while senior leader Asad Qaiser called in to clarify his stance.
