PTI struggles with ‘internal rifts’

It seems that difficult time for PTI founding chairman Imran Khan is far from over. The last thing that the former premier wanted to see within the party ranks were reports of rifts and speculations about the formation of a forward bloc amid resignations from key party leaders, especially when the party was trying to recover from the May 9 disaster and gearing up for country-wide protests demanding his release from jail.

On one hand, Omar Ayub resigned from his post of PTI secretary general to retain the position of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly while on the other, Junaid Akbar left PTI’s core committee, stating that he was denied a meeting with the PTI supremo.

Akbar further maintained that certain individuals have become beneficiaries of decisions made within the closed walls of Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is imprisoned, as only they have access to him.

Another sidelined PTI leader, Sher Afzal Marwat, echoed Akbar’s sentiments by demanding the resignation of Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz, accusing him of preventing access to imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan.

To add insult to injury, there are reports that around two dozen PTI lawmakers are considering resigning en masse, feeling that only a handful of individuals are enjoying posts and privileges, including access to Imran Khan, at a time when everyone should be focusing on securing the release of the PTI founder by taking the matter to the streets.

In addition to the reservations expressed by disgruntled lawmakers, former party leaders trying to make a comeback in the party are facing strong resistance. The internal rifts, coupled with the attempts of the old players, have fueled speculations about the formation of a forward bloc to the extent that the party had to issue a formal rebuttal.

Renowned political expert Majid Nizami opined that former PTI leaders are attempting to make a comeback in the party after observing that the party has retained its popularity, received overwhelming support from the public in the February 8 general election, and emerged as a strong opposition party in the National Assembly.

“Seeing that no dent could be created in PTI despite all efforts,” he noted, “the old players want to make a comeback.”

According to the expert, the launching of these leaders from the platform of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Pakistan (IPP) did not succeed, nor could they be accommodated within PML-N and PPPP, as they could not align themselves with these two mainstream parties for various reasons. He also mentioned that these leaders are facing resistance because they were absent when the party needed them the most, noting that lawyers filled that void during that period.

Professor Tahir Naeem Malik of NUML University noted that the structure, functions, roles, and responsibilities within political parties in Pakistan are often disorganized, and these weaknesses become glaringly apparent during crises.

Reflecting on past events—such as former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s walk to the gallows, three-time ex-premier Nawaz Sharif’s exile, and Imran Khan’s imprisonment— the professor observed that crises often occur because political parties do not adequately prepare a second tier of leadership for difficult times.

“The political parties continue to rely on charisma, appeal, and a one-man show,” he explained.

Amid the prevailing unfavourable environment for political parties in the country, Professor Malik said the rifts are a result of the parties’ own “incapability,” adding that the system also “exploits” such situations.