Special Report: The internal rift within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has escalated following the expulsion of party leader Sher Afzal Marwat. Senior PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi has accused Marwat of causing division within the party.
Speaking on a news show, Naqvi stated that Marwat has been creating unrest and continues his disruptive behavior despite the party’s warnings. He further added that the decision to de-seat Marwat would be taken by the parliamentary party.
Reacting to an incident outside Adiala Jail, where PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry slapped fellow party member Shoaib Shaheen during an argument, Naqvi condemned Chaudhry's actions, calling them inappropriate and unethical.
Earlier, Sher Afzal Marwat blamed Salman Akram Raja for his expulsion from PTI. He expressed frustration, claiming that decisions in PTI are made instantly on the basis of whispers into party founder Imran Khan's ears. Marwat questioned the party’s decision, asking, "Mujhe kyun nikala?" (Why was I removed?), during a National Assembly session.
The internal strife within PTI has been ongoing for some time, with several factions emerging, including the Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar group, Ali Amin Gandapur group, Punjab group, and the Lawyers' vs Political group. These factions have been openly criticizing one another.
Tensions within PTI deepened after workers accused leaders like Ali Amin Gandapur of abandoning party workers during recent protests and long marches. This criticism led to Gandapur's removal from his provincial leadership post.
A significant turning point in the internal conflict was the release of Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who started residing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after released from jail and allegedly interfering in party affairs. Several PTI leaders lodged complaints with Imran Khan regarding Bushra Bibi’s influence, which became a flashpoint during the November 26 protest, where leaders blamed her for the chaos and losses suffered during the demonstration. Additionally, friction between Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan’s sisters surfaced, with the latter publicly criticizing her over the protest issues.
The rift became more apparent following Sher Afzal Marwat’s removal. Prominent leaders like Shehryar Afridi, Shandana Gulzar, and Asad Qaiser expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision. Meanwhile, Marwat has continued making explosive claims, including accusing journalist Imran Riaz Khan of corruption with General Faiz Hameed and lightly criticizing Imran Khan himself.
In a separate TV appearance, Shandana Gulzar criticized Bushra Bibi’s spokesperson, Mishal Yousafzai. Responding via social media, Yousafzai warned Gulzar, hinting that she knows how Gulzar obtained her party ticket but chose to keep certain details private.
A special report from Human Online had previously predicted that Sher Afzal Marwat’s expulsion could spark further internal disputes within PTI, leading to public confrontations and revelations that could have significant consequences for the party’s future and Pakistani politics.
The internal chaos has left party workers in two minds and abandoned in the current tough situation, while Imran Khan himself is trying to resolve the issues with establishment by writing a third letter to the Army chief.
