Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan has ordered all party members to immediately resign from the standing committees of the Punjab Assembly, said Chairman Advocate Gohar Ali Khan.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala jail on Thursday, he said the party currently runs 14 such committees and Khan has given clear instructions for a collective withdrawal.
Following these directives, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Moeen Riaz Qureshi asked PTI lawmakers to tender their resignations from all committee chairmanships as per Imran Khan’s orders.
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According to party sources, the PTI has already started the process of withdrawing its positions in the standing committees of the provincial assembly. Qureshi confirmed this decision and ordered all committee chairmen belonging to the party to formally tender their resignations.
“Not only will the opposition members resign from the committees, but they will also return the official vehicles allotted to them,” Qureshi told the media.
Imran replaces Gandapur for security
The PTI Chairman further confirmed that Imran had expressed displeasure over the performance of former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, especially on issues related to security and law and order in the province.
In response, Imran appointed Suhail Afridi, a tribal representative, as the new chief minister of KP.
Gohar urged the KP governor to quickly accept Gandapur’s resignation to ensure smooth transfer of power. “There was no consultation with me regarding the change of chief minister, but such decisions belong only to the party founder, and the party accepts them,” he said.
The PTI chairman also gave an update on the ongoing legal proceedings against Imran, saying the trial in the Toshakhana-II case has been completed and final arguments will be presented on October 13, with a verdict expected early next week.
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“This is the fifth false case against the PTI founder,” Gohar said, alleging that the charges were politically motivated to keep Imran in jail. He added that Imran remains in good spirits and continues to play an active role in party affairs from jail.
Imran also expressed concern over reports of possible military operations in KP, warning that “no operation can succeed without a solid political strategy.”
“He thinks the province and the party cannot afford another military operation,” Gohar said. “He wants the transition to the new chief minister to be quick so that the new cabinet can be finalized. »
Gohar denies rumors of division within leadership
Meanwhile, the PTI chairman dismissed reports of internal divisions and major changes in the party’s leadership as “baseless rumours”. His statement comes as party members suggest that major reshuffles could be imminent within the PTI’s central leadership.
Sources claimed that Junaid Akbar would be considered to replace Gohar as PTI chairman, while Raoof Hasan may take up the role of information secretary in place of Sheikh Waqas Akram.
The reports surfaced a day after former KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur officially resigned from office on the directives of party founder Imran Khan.
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However, Me Gohar refuted these claims, reaffirming that the party remains united and that there is “no crisis regarding the presidency”.
He called the reports mere speculation. “Our party is strong and functions in accordance with its constitution,” he said. “Let me be clear: If I resigned today, the party would cease to exist in its current structure, as directed by the Supreme Court.”
Gohar also categorically denied the existence of any forward bloc within the PTI, emphasizing that all internal decisions, including those related to leadership and governance, are taken in accordance with the vision of party founder Imran Khan.
