ISLAMABAD: PTI leader Shehryar Afzal Marwat has claimed that the establishment is unwilling to engage in dialogue with the party, warning that if the PTI is to be “destroyed,” the chief minister should be replaced. He alleged that decisions within the party were being made based on recommendations, leading to internal discord.
Speaking to a private news channel, Marwat described PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan as a “sophisticated man” who faced trolling but refrained from complaining. He also made revelations about the party’s internal affairs, stating that three focal persons were authorized under a high court decision to facilitate meetings with the party’s founder, Imran Khan.
Marwat contested Salman Akram Raja’s claim of being the sole authority to arrange meetings, stating that names would be forwarded to the PTI founder by the three focal persons before any meeting could take place. He accused Raja of failing to attend meetings on time and suggested that jail authorities selectively permitted access.
The PTI leader further alleged that the party’s Pashtun leadership had become a “training ground,” with the official PTI media trolling Barrister Gohar. He criticized Raja’s appointment as general secretary, stating that the party constitution required the position to be filled through elections.
Marwat claimed that Raja enjoyed the backing of a group close to the PTI founder and was appointed on the recommendation of Aleema Khan. He sarcastically remarked that Raja and his associates might “stand with stones at the next hearing,” implying resistance to transparency.
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He expressed concerns that certain individuals were filtering information reaching the PTI founder to serve their interests, warning that attempts were being made to isolate Khan. Marwat also claimed that Aleema Khan had grown “unpopular” due to her control over social media and that some senior members were being deliberately excluded from meetings.
Regarding the party’s political strategy, Marwat stated that protests were planned after Eid but were being overshadowed by internal disputes. He also hinted at a possible change in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s position, though he noted that Speaker Babar Saleem Swati avoided such conflicts.
Marwat concluded by asserting that the establishment was not ready for negotiations with PTI, signaling further political challenges ahead.
