PTI rejects Omar Ayub’s resignation as secretary general amid internal strife

Party lawmakers pass resolution expressing confidence in his leadership, dismiss reports of a forward bloc as false

ISLAMABAD:

The parliamentary party of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) showed on Friday disagreement over PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan’s decision to accept the resignation of PTI’s secretary general Omar Ayub, urging him to take a U-turn and reappoint Ayub on the post.

The party’s parliamentary faction’s demand has come within 24 hours after the incarcerated PTI chairman endorsed the decision of Ayub, who is also the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, to step down from his party position.

Confusion prevails within PTI ranks over Ayub’s resignation amid reports of rifts in PTI. On the one hand, the party announced that it would take out rallies for the release of the party supremo. On the other hand, the secretary general left the key party position so that he could focus on parliamentary affairs.

In its meeting held on Friday at the Parliament House, “the Parliamentary Party unanimously expresses complete confidence in Omar Ayub Khan as Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).”

An official statement said that the “Parliamentary Party unanimously resolves that his resignation may not be accepted and he may be directed to continue as Secretary General of the party.”

In addition, it maintained, “Parliamentary Party strongly condemns media reports about a so-called “Forward Bloc” and marks that there is no “Forward Bloc” within the parliamentary party or the party, and all are united under the leadership of the Founding and Chairman for life, Imran Khan.”

Read: Omar Ayub steps down as PTI secretary general

Late on Thursday night, Ayub resigned from his position to focus on his role as opposition leader. In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, he stated: “I am most grateful to PM Imran Khan sahib for accepting my resignation as Secretary General PTI to focus on my role as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan.”

In a letter addressed to Imran, Ayub expressed gratitude for accepting his resignation. “I sent my resignation to the PTI founder and Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on 22nd June,” he stated. It was reported that Senator Shibli Faraz, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, delivered Omar’s message to Imran during a meeting at Adiala Jail on June 27.

Ayub's resignation came amid reports of rifts within the PTI, with sources indicating that several PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council lawmakers were considering resigning from the National Assembly in protest against the party’s top leadership.

The speculations about a forward block stem from reports that attribute to sources saying that almost two dozen of these lawmakers hinted at forming a forward bloc due to the leadership’s failure to secure the release of Imran Khan from jail.

The reports add that the disgruntled lawmakers have also “conveyed a message” to Khan and Ayub, urging them to make serious efforts for the release of incarcerated leaders.

They maintained that the disgruntled MNAs say that some leaders were eyeing higher posts instead of focusing on securing the release of the PTI founder and other jailed party leaders, saying they seem to be content with the situation.