PESHAWAR: Signs of growing unrest within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became more visible on Monday as 22 dissident MPAs held a nearly four-hour consultative meeting in Peshawar.
The participants voiced concerns over governance, law and order, alleged corruption, and what they described as the party’s ineffective efforts to secure the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The meeting concluded with a decision to formally communicate these concerns to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan through a detailed letter. The lawmakers also rejected engagement with a six-member committee headed by Asad Qaiser, insisting that any discussions regarding their reservations would be held directly with the party chairman.
Sources said another meeting has been scheduled within two days and is expected to draw additional lawmakers, potentially giving greater momentum to the group’s demands. A dissident lawmaker told this correspondent that Ali Amin Gandapur has no connection with the group and was not present at the meeting. He said members of the group are being deliberately linked to Gandapur.
Meanwhile, a letter addressed to Barrister Gohar stated that a consultative meeting of several PTI lawmakers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held in Peshawar, where participants discussed the overall political situation of the party, the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, challenges faced by party workers and leaders, the effectiveness of the ongoing movement, and various aspects of governance in the province.
The participants expressed concern that certain social media platforms and sections of the media were creating a misleading impression by associating lawmakers with different groups or personalities. The meeting clarified that all participating lawmakers remain committed to the ideology, manifesto, and vision of PTI and its founding chairman Imran Khan. They emphasised that they are neither working for any faction, group, or individual agenda, nor do they identify themselves with any particular camp.
The meeting expressed serious concern over Imran Khan’s continued imprisonment, restrictions on his medical treatment, and limitations on meetings with the members of his family, lawyers, and party leaders.
Participants stressed the need for a positive, comprehensive, effective, and result-oriented strategy to secure his release. They also regretted that the protest activities carried out so far had failed to achieve the desired results, creating frustration and anxiety among party workers.
The meeting put forward the following recommendations:
1. Participants expressed concern that the movement for Imran Khan’s release and concerns regarding his health are causing anxiety among party workers, supporters, and patriotic citizens. A perception is emerging among workers that the release campaign has drifted away from its core objective and become largely focused on health and treatment issues.
If this situation is not addressed effectively and in time, the party could face political repercussions.
2. The meeting emphasised that, alongside Imran Khan, hundreds of party leaders and workers continue to endure imprisonment. A comprehensive and organised plan should be developed for their release, legal assistance, welfare of their families, and other related matters.
3. According to the participants, the movement for the release of the party founder appears largely limited to formal statements, limited protests, and symbolic actions. The meeting recommended a fresh strategy to make the campaign more effective, organised, and result-oriented.
4. The meeting recommended adopting a coordinated, active, and effective legal strategy for pursuing cases involving Imran Khan, party leaders, and workers, in order to demonstrate the party’s seriousness and commitment to both workers and the public.
5. Since PTI is in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, participants stressed the need to translate Imran Khan’s vision, merit, transparency, and good governance into practical reality across all sectors. The meeting expressed serious reservations about the alleged interference of irrelevant individuals in government affairs, departures from merit, unequal distribution of resources, and the lack of consultation with elected lawmakers regarding powers and development projects in their constituencies. Participants emphasised that all government affairs should be conducted with transparency, merit, institutional discipline, and consultation with elected public representatives.
In conclusion, the participants urged the party leadership to formulate a comprehensive, practical, and decisive strategy for Imran Khan’s release, protection of party workers, addressing political challenges, and ensuring effective governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, so that the party and its leadership can effectively confront the challenges ahead.
