The inside story of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) joint parliamentary party meeting has emerged, highlighting reported disagreements among party leaders over negotiations with the government. According to sources, the meeting also featured discussions about the party’s political strategy, leadership and the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
During the meeting, PTI leader Azam Swati reportedly claimed that party founder Imran Khan had authorised him to hold negotiations. However, party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan interrupted him, saying that he had personally met Imran Khan in jail and asked about the alleged authority. According to Barrister Gohar, Imran Khan denied granting Swati permission to negotiate.
Barrister Gohar further stated that Imran Khan had entrusted the responsibility for negotiations to Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai. Sources said Azam Swati left the meeting following the exchange. These accounts reflect the reported discussion and have not been independently verified.
Earlier reports suggested that most members attending the PTI parliamentary party meeting supported negotiations with the government. Noorul Haq Qadri reportedly repeated the word “negotiations” three times, prompting applause from participants. Meanwhile, Mushtaq Yousafzai expressed reservations about Sohail Afridi and the opposition leadership, arguing that political negotiations should take priority over a long march.
Asad Qaiser reportedly said Imran Khan had expressed confidence in Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. Shafqat Awan also criticised the practice of blaming fellow party members, arguing that the opposition should focus on challenging the government rather than directing accusations at its own ranks. Sources further reported that senior PTI leaders expressed displeasure over repeated interruptions during speeches.
In a separate development, the joint parliamentary party issued a statement condemning the imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as an attack on provincial autonomy and the Constitution. The party demanded the immediate withdrawal of these measures and called for the restoration of the provincial government under Sohail Afridi’s leadership.
The statement also expressed concern over reported raids and arrests involving elected leaders, party organisations and workers. PTI reiterated its commitment to Imran Khan’s leadership, decisions and political vision, demanded the release of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in accordance with legal requirements, and called for the release of detained party leaders.
