PTI leaders argue over Islamabad protest, Imran Khan’s jail privileges

Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Aleema Khan, Faisal Chaudhry, Barrister Gohar Khan, and Mashal Yousafzai meet at Adiala jail.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s internal rifts were exposed at Adiala Jail, as party leaders bickered over the Islamabad protest and Imran Khan's jail conditions.

PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, sister Aleema Khan and party leaders Faisal Chaudhry, Barrister Gohar Khan, and Mashal Yousafzai were all present when an argument erupted over the aftermath of the November 24 protest, Express News reported.

Bushra Bibi voiced her frustration over Punjab’s lackluster response to the protest, claiming that the region had not shown enough support to the party during its November protest in Islamabad.

In contrast, Barrister Gohar Khan defended Punjab’s efforts, pointing to the harsh crackdown and the arrest of 5,000 party members, which he argued severely hampered PTI’s operations in the province.

The exchange took a turn when Aleema Khan confronted Faisal Chaudhry, questioning why PTI’s founder, Imran Khan, wasn’t being provided newspapers and other basic jail facilities.

Chaudhry defended the party's efforts but turned the blame back on senior officials, questioning why they weren’t taking more responsibility by attending court hearings themselves.

The tension deepened when Aleema Khan raised concerns over the Islamabad High Court’s monitoring commission.

Faisal Chaudhry clarified that the commission was court-mandated and out of their control. However, Mashal Yousafzai accused Chaudhry of undermining the commission’s work, leading to a sharp exchange of words.

Barrister Gohar Khan, attempting to quell the disagreement, advised the group to leave certain decisions to party leadership, suggesting that widespread public commentary on protests and internal matters only bred confusion.

Amidst the bickering, PTI founding chairman Imran Khan expressed grave concerns over what he said was the rise of "fascism" in Punjab, claming that it had instilled fear among the public.

He referenced the D-Chowk protest, where 200 PTI members have reportedly gone missing.