Khan to Raja: PTI not a school, stop targeting party leaders

ISLAMABAD: Jailed PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has expressed displeasure over party Secretary General Salman Akram Raja’s public criticism of senior PTI leaders who were allowed to meet him in Adiala jail last week.

Sources familiar with the matter said that on Tuesday, Khan conveyed his concerns through his lawyer Salman Safdar, who was asked to deliver a message to Raja. Khan reportedly stated that “political parties cannot be run like a school classroom,” emphasizing the need for unity rather than internal blame games. The controversy arose after the Adiala jail administration barred Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and other family members from meeting him while granting access to five party lawyers, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Senator Ali Zafar.

Salman Akram Raja, who was himself denied a meeting at the time, publicly criticized the move, suggesting that those granted access were “favorites” of the authorities. His comments triggered a strong response from Barrister Gohar, who reminded Raja that the party had never agreed to boycott meetings with Khan under such circumstances. Gohar pointed out that Raja had himself met Khan on March 25, despite Aleema Khan and other sisters being barred.

During Tuesday’s jail meeting, other sensitive party matters were also discussed. Regarding a US-based party leader and vlogger, Khan advised Gohar that it was not the appropriate time to formally remove him from the party’s political and core committees. Instead, Khan instructed that he should simply not be invited to committee meetings. According to a party insider, the party leader has already been absent from these forums for some time due to growing discontent among senior leaders over his behaviour. The source added that the leader is aware his removal from committees is being considered.

The issue of Senator Azam Swati was also briefly addressed. Khan reiterated that while he remains open to dialogue with the military establishment for the sake of the country, he had never authorized Swati—or anyone else—to seek personal relief on his behalf. While Khan expressed doubts about Swati’s connection, he emphasized that his position on engagement remains unchanged -- open for Pakistan’s betterment, democracy and rule of law.

Salman Akram Raja did not respond when his comments were sought on Imran Khan’s ire over former’s statement.