Islamabad (The COW News Digital) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is facing growing challenges from its own social media platforms as the party struggles to regain political ground following the loss of its government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A controversial post shared on the party’s verified X account on October 26 revived a statement attributed to PTI founder Imran Khan, containing harsh criticism of the country’s senior military leadership. However, the statement was not a new message from the former prime minister. It had originally been issued in 2025 and was reposted nearly a year later.
The timing of the repost has reportedly caused concern among some senior party figures, who believe that confrontational messaging could further complicate PTI’s efforts to rebuild political support and establish dialogue with other political stakeholders.
A senior party leader, contacted for comment, described the situation as unfortunate. According to a PTI leader, such posts are sometimes shared without consulting senior figures, including party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja.
The leader also questioned the purpose of republishing the old statement, raising concerns about whether the party’s social media strategy was helping it attract political support or further narrowing opportunities for political engagement.
The controversy comes at a difficult time for PTI. Imran Khan remains in prison, his three sisters have been detained, and the party lost control of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government following the imposition of governor’s rule on October 11.
Since the removal of its government in April 2022, PTI has faced a series of political and legal challenges, including crackdowns, court cases, the loss of its electoral symbol and the imprisonment of its founder. Losing its government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, previously considered a major political stronghold, has added to these difficulties.
The developments have also raised questions about the party’s future organisational structure and political direction in the province. At a time when PTI is seeking wider public support and sympathy for its detained leadership, the continued use of confrontational language on its digital platforms has drawn scrutiny.
Another issue concerns who controls the party’s online messaging. A report published in 2025 had alleged that several verified PTI social media accounts, including those associated with Imran Khan, were being operated from abroad under instructions conveyed through his sister Aleema Khan.
The issue has attracted renewed attention following the detention of Aleema Khan and her two sisters.
In a separate development, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan told the Islamabad High Court on October 15 that PTI did not claim ownership or control of Imran Khan’s X account. However, the distinction between the founder’s personal account and the party’s official account has not resolved questions about the political messaging being circulated through PTI’s digital platforms.
The party has also faced criticism over its links with overseas-based YouTubers and political commentators, with questions raised about their influence on PTI’s political narrative.
The latest controversy has reportedly added pressure on party leaders who are attempting to restore political space and rebuild relations with other stakeholders.
With its founder and members of his family in detention, its government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa no longer in office, and internal differences over political strategy emerging, PTI faces questions about whether its confrontational digital messaging can help it regain political ground or further complicate efforts to secure political relief and build new alliances.
