PTI closes doors on defectors

ISLAMABAD: The core committee of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday vehemently denounced party defectors during what it termed a critical juncture, amidst escalating verbal clashes between some leaders and dissidents.

The PTI’s core committee convened to assess internal affairs and the prevailing political landscape, adopting three resolutions. It emphatically stated that those who abandoned the party in challenging times lacked the moral authority to criticise party affairs from outside. The remarks appeared to target former information minister and erstwhile senior vice-president Fawad Chaudhry, who recently criticised current party leadership, alleging they hindered the release of party founder Imran Khan from jail.

“The party disassociates itself from such individuals, and their statements hold no sway over party matters,” one resolution asserted. “Those who deserted the party during adversity will not be reinstated,” it added.

However, the committee noted that the fate of those expressing regret lies with Founder Chairman Imran Khan. Furthermore, the committee recommended against accepting the resignation of Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan, acknowledging his invaluable service during trying times. It urged him to withdraw his resignation, underscoring his role in upholding party policies.

The committee affirmed its commitment to strict discipline within party ranks, warning of severe consequences, including suspension of primary membership, for any violations. Separately, the PTI criticised the recent 29-page order by Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court in the Bushra Bibi audio leaks case, describing it as a severe indictment against the federal government and intelligence agencies. The party demanded accountability for the breach of privacy, alleging illegal surveillance and recording of private conversations without legal basis.

Amid ongoing party developments, a seven-member committee, directed by the founder chairman, will review the cases of leaders who left the PTI, particularly following events on May 9. The committee, led by Shah Mehmood Qureshi, includes PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Hamid Khan, Shibli Faraz, Shehryar Afridi, and Shandana Gulzar, tasked with evaluating reasons for departure, especially among women members.

The committee will provide recommendations for a final decision by the founder chairman, likely after Imran Khan’s release from jail. Meanwhile, in view of the prevailing party situation, on the direction of the founder chairman, a seven-member committee will take up cases of return of the leaders who had left the party, particularly following the May 9 events.

This committee, according to an insider, will be headed by Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and its other members will be PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Hamid Khan, Shibli Faraz and Shehryar Afridi, besides Shandana Gulzar, who will report on the cases of women and their reasons for leaving the party.

The committee will furnish recommendations for the consideration and final decision by the party founder chairman. However, there is a strong possibility that the decision about the fate of such persons will be made, only after Imran Khan is released from the jail.

Meanwhile, Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that there is neither factionalism nor is forward bloc in the party at present. Speaking to the media after the core committee meeting, he said that the entire core committee has asked PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub to withdraw his resignation and that he will also request the founding chairman to accept the proposal of the core committee.

Barrister Gohar said that he suggested that Omar Ayub should withdraw his resignation. He conceded that there are definitely some discipline-related issues in parties but there is no forward bloc in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Gohar said JUIF’s announcement of supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan on the issue of reserved seats did not matter. Barrister Gohar emphasised that the two-point agenda related to stopping election rigging and independent judiciary is being discussed with JUIF.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Senate and senior PTI leader Syed Shibli Faraz has said that there is no factionalism, the party is united. There are three or four people who have caused ‘hue and cry’.

Speaking to the media, after the party’s core committee meeting was over, he said that disciplinary action has been discussed in the party. Now there will be no compromise on discipline and due action will be initiated.