PTI's Salman Akram Raja withdraws resignation

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja has retracted his resignation, citing concerns over the internal criticism he faced after the party's failed protest.

According to party sources, Raja had initially resigned, fearing that the failure of the protest would be blamed on him, Express News reported.

However, PTI leaders later shifted the responsibility for the protest’s failure onto the party’s central leadership.

Meanwhile, Mishal Yousafzai, a Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), was removed from her position by CM Ali Amin Gandapur.

A notification for her dismissal was issued shortly after. Yousafzai explained in a statement that her removal followed an interview she gave to a private television channel, in which she defended the party's leadership.

Yousafzai expressed her loyalty to PTI in her statement, asserting that she had always supported Bushra Bibi and had reached D-Chowk as part of her commitment.

Few days ago, Salman Akram Raja resigned from his position, following continuous criticism of his leadership.

According to reports from Express News, Raja’s resignation came after sustained pressure and dissatisfaction from within the party, particularly regarding his handling of protests.

Raja had been nominated for the position of PTI Secretary General following the resignation of former Secretary General Omar Ayub, who officially stepped down on September 7.

Party sources indicated that Raja faced criticism from several senior PTI leaders, particularly regarding his leadership during the party’s recent protests.

Some party members expressed dissatisfaction with his management of the situation, especially during the Lahore protest, where he had been tasked with leading the PTI convoy to Islamabad.

After the roadblocks were set up, Raja shifted the protest plan to Lahore, but was unable to mobilise sufficient party workers, which led to further criticism.

In light of this, PTI leaders had increasingly targeted Raja for his perceived failures in organising the protests.

In response to Raja’s resignation, PTI’s senior leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan urged Raja to continue in his role, stressing that this was not the time to step down. "People will continue to criticise, but you must keep working," he stated, urging Raja to remain steadfast in the face of criticism.