Islamabad: Amid growing internal divisions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and his associates met party founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail on Wednesday.
According to reports, the rift within the party became more apparent when PTI Punjab President Hammad Azhar resigned from his post the same day.
Speaking to Dawn, KP Chief Minister’s Adviser Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif claimed that during the jail meeting, Imran Khan advised Gandapur to re-establish contact with the establishment within constitutional and legal bounds.
The meeting took place in the jail’s conference room and lasted for two and a half hours. However, following Islamabad High Court orders, the attendees left without addressing the media.
Sources indicate that the meeting was a continuation of the discussions held on Tuesday between Imran Khan and senior PTI leader Azam Swati. On that day, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja and others arrived at Adiala Jail with a list of individuals approved to meet Imran Khan. However, Raja was denied entry, while Swati was allowed to meet the party founder.
Jail sources claimed that Imran Khan was unwilling to meet Salman Akram Raja. Later, Azam Swati also asserted that Khan had refused the meeting but added that he assured Khan of Raja’s loyalty and commitment to the party.
Swati further revealed that, based on his conversation with Imran Khan, some changes would be made in the KP government.
During his meeting with Gandapur, Imran Khan discussed various political and security issues, including the situation in KP, terrorism, and internal party matters.
Barrister Saif reiterated that Imran Khan had instructed the KP chief minister to reconnect with the establishment in the interest of the country. He stated that Khan believes PTI, as the only truly national party with a presence in all provinces, is essential for resolving Pakistan’s political, economic, and security crises.
He acknowledged a lack of mutual trust between PTI and the establishment, emphasizing the need for a conducive atmosphere for meaningful negotiations.
Saif also distanced PTI from certain overseas YouTubers whom he accused of exacerbating tensions between the party and the establishment. He maintained that PTI had no control over them and had officially disassociated itself from them.
When asked if Imran Khan had set any conditions for re-engagement with the establishment, Saif clarified that any discussions would remain within constitutional and democratic frameworks.
Imran Khan also underscored the importance of engaging with Afghanistan to combat terrorism. The KP government had reached out to the federal government for permission to engage with the Afghan Taliban, but no response was received.
During the meeting, Gandapur and Khan also discussed internal party disputes, particularly tensions between Azam Swati and KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati. Khan urged the chief minister to play a leadership role in resolving their differences.
Meanwhile, Hammad Azhar, who had remained out of the public eye since May 9, 2023, announced his resignation as PTI Punjab President on X (formerly Twitter).
Azhar accused Azam Swati of misleading Imran Khan by alleging that he was obstructing PTI Punjab Chief Organizer Alia Hamza’s work. However, Azhar claimed that when he personally asked Hamza, she expressed surprise and denied facing any hindrance from him.
Despite resigning from his post, Azhar stated that he would continue working for PTI as a party member.
In anticipation of PTI protests, security around Adiala Jail was tightened, with a heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel. However, despite earlier claims by party leaders, PTI failed to set up a protest camp outside the prison during Eid.
PTI KP President Junaid Akbar had hinted during Ramadan that party workers would gather outside the jail to show solidarity with Imran Khan. However, the central leadership distanced itself from this plan.
On the second and third days of Eid, PTI leaders, including Salman Akram Raja, Azam Swati, CM Ali Amin Gandapur, and Barrister Saif, visited the jail, but their primary purpose was to meet Imran Khan rather than hold a protest.
