By Amir Shehzad (Editor TheCOWNews)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the political party founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, finds itself in the midst of growing internal tensions and controversies. From leadership rifts to allegations of corruption, PTI is struggling to maintain unity and focus in the face of challenges both within the party and in the broader political landscape of Pakistan.
Recently, PTI’s internal disagreements have made headlines, especially since the imprisonment of Imran Khan. His incarceration has caused cracks within the party, with various factions and party leaders pursuing their own agendas and policies. These developments have led to the party’s weakening hold over key provinces like Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where reports of discord among party leaders have been coming to light.
The cracks within PTI became more evident during the third One-Day International (ODI) match between Pakistan and New Zealand. PTI’s leader, Imran Khan, remained absent from the public eye, and reports surfaced of multiple disagreements within the party. Sources within PTI have informed that the party’s internal divisions were becoming increasingly apparent, with leaders in provinces like Punjab and KP openly disagreeing on issues of governance and policy.
One significant development that has drawn attention is the tension between PTI leader Khushdil Shah and a purported Afghan spectator during a cricket match. The spectator reportedly used offensive language against the Pakistani team in Pashto, which led to an altercation between Shah and the spectator. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the growing sense of unease within PTI and the lack of control over the party’s factions. While the party’s leadership claims to be investigating the incident, the situation has raised serious questions about the unity and discipline within PTI.
The party’s internal struggles have also been exacerbated by accusations of corruption, particularly within PTI’s provincial leadership. The situation reached a head when PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, expressed his concern over corruption allegations within the party. During a meeting with PTI’s top leadership, Khan emphasized that any member of PTI found involved in corruption should not have a place in the party. In light of this, PTI’s accountability committee was tasked with investigating these allegations and recommending actions against those found guilty.
Imran Khan has also made it clear that if the accountability committee finds any PTI member guilty of corruption, they must step down from their posts. One such case involved the Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, who was accused of corruption by PTI leader Azam Swati. Khan’s stance on the issue was unequivocal: if the committee decides that the Speaker is guilty, he should resign immediately.
The Speaker of the KP Assembly, however, rejected the accusations and publicly denied the claims made by Azam Swati. The Speaker also went so far as to call Swati a liar, stating that he would present his position to Imran Khan personally. The back-and-forth between the two leaders has further fueled internal divisions within PTI, with each side accusing the other of promoting a culture of lies and corruption.
Despite the ongoing disputes, PTI’s leadership is continuing its efforts to combat corruption and ensure transparency within the party. As part of this initiative, PTI has set up an accountability committee, which has been tasked with investigating allegations of corruption among party leaders and officials. This committee, however, has faced significant resistance from within the party, with many PTI leaders expressing dissatisfaction with its operations and decision-making processes.
The growing discontent over the committee’s role and its findings has led to several leaders resigning from their positions. One such resignation came from Hamad Azhar, the former General Secretary of PTI’s Punjab chapter. Azhar announced his resignation from all party positions, citing frustration over the lack of progress and internal divisions. His resignation followed a heated exchange between Azhar and Azam Swati over the alleged obstruction of political work by certain members of the party. Azhar’s decision to resign highlights the deepening rift within PTI, as leaders become increasingly frustrated with the party’s leadership and its direction.
Another area of concern for PTI has been its leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where corruption allegations have plagued the provincial government for years. Under the leadership of former Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, PTI faced severe criticism over corruption, particularly during the seat elections, where accusations of vote-buying surfaced. During this period, Zia Ullah Afridi, the Minister of Mines and Minerals, was removed from his post after being accused of corruption. Despite these efforts to address corruption, the situation did not improve, and similar accusations continued to surface during the tenure of current Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.
The allegations of corruption within the provincial government have led to growing dissatisfaction with PTI’s governance in KP. Despite repeated assurances from Khan and other party leaders, the issue remains unresolved, and the provincial leadership has come under increasing pressure to address the situation.
In response to these concerns, Imran Khan directed the establishment of an accountability committee to oversee the actions of PTI’s provincial ministers. This move was intended to restore trust in the party and ensure that corruption did not continue to fester within its ranks. However, despite the committee’s efforts, there has been little progress in resolving the issue, and many PTI leaders remain dissatisfied with the handling of corruption within the party.
As PTI continues to grapple with internal divisions, several leadership changes are expected in the near future. Sources within PTI suggest that following a meeting with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Imran Khan granted him the authority to make changes within the provincial cabinet. It is expected that the ongoing investigation into corruption will lead to the removal of several key ministers and advisers from their positions.
Additionally, PTI’s leadership is reportedly considering a motion of no-confidence against the Speaker of the KP Assembly, who is facing allegations of corruption. The no-confidence motion, if passed, could lead to significant changes in the leadership of the provincial assembly and further destabilize PTI’s already fragile position in KP.
In an attempt to resolve some of the party’s issues, Imran Khan has engaged in negotiations with the Pakistani establishment. These informal talks, however, have been slow to produce results. Despite expressing a willingness to continue dialogue, Khan has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in rebuilding trust between PTI and the establishment. During a recent meeting with Ali Amin Gandapur, Imran Khan acknowledged the ongoing difficulties in the relationship between PTI and the establishment and emphasized the need for continued communication and dialogue to resolve issues of mutual concern.
However, sources suggest that despite these efforts, the trust deficit between PTI and the establishment remains significant. Khan’s attempts to bridge this gap have been hindered by political forces within the country that are working to keep the rift between PTI and the establishment alive. These forces, according to sources, are determined to keep PTI and the establishment at odds, thus preventing any real progress from being made.
As PTI faces mounting challenges from within and outside the party, its future remains uncertain. The ongoing internal strife, combined with allegations of corruption, could seriously undermine the party’s credibility and political standing. Despite this, PTI remains a dominant political force in Pakistan, and its leadership is determined to overcome these obstacles.
In the coming weeks, PTI is expected to continue making changes to its leadership structure, with further resignations and appointments likely. The party’s leadership will need to address the growing dissatisfaction among its ranks and ensure that its members remain united in the face of mounting external pressure.
As PTI grapples with its internal divisions, it must also contend with a growing sense of political instability in Pakistan. The party’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in determining its future role in the country’s political landscape.
