ISLAMABAD: Amid a widening rift in the former ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Azam Swati has expressed his support for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, whom he referred to as the PTI founder’s CM.
In a statement, Swati stated that those who created discord and chaos must be silenced, “if we have to save the country”. Following a fresh statement of Gandapur, rifts within the PTI have intensified, prompting the party leadership to instruct its senior members to refrain from issuing public statements.
PTI Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Asad Qaisar, Shahram Khan Tarakai, and Atif Khan have demanded an inquiry into Gandapur’s statement.
Meanwhile, Aleema Khan, Salman Akram Raja, and other central party leaders have reportedly stopped the three MNAs from making public statements and have decided to raise the issue directly with Imran, media reported.
Atif said the chief minister’s remarks could damage the PTI founder’s movement, and the ongoing efforts for his release should not be undermined. He urged Gandapur to focus on governance and avoid unnecessary statements, as these could harm both the party and the campaign for Imran’s release.
He further said that Aleema, Salman, and the PTI leadership had assured them the issue would be presented to the party founder, and they would now wait for Imran’s decision.
Furthermore, Tarakai also stated such statements could damage the movement led by the PTI founder. “Our focus should be on the release of the PTI founder and the unjustly detained party members.”
He emphasised that the KP CM should channel his energy towards restoring law and order and improving governance.
Shahram added that the PTI core committee has reacted strongly to Gandapur’s statements. “We also have the right to respond,” he said, adding, “But internal divisions at this point will only hurt efforts for release of the PTI’s founding chairman.”
The concerns were raised after local media reports quoted Gandapur as claiming that he was in talks with the establishment in a “personal capacity”.
Media also reported that in a recent meeting with Imran at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, the former prime minister instructed the KP chief minister to re-engage with the establishment. –Agencies
