Aleema Khan, Gandapur Clash: PTI Founder Calls for Restraint

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR – A very public rift has erupted within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, traded serious allegations. The feud has exposed deep internal divisions in the party at a time when unity is seen as critical.

Key Highlights

• CM Ali Amin Gandapur accused Aleema Khan of dividing PTI, creating factions, and undermining party leaders.
• Gandapur alleged Aleema was linked to vloggers, establishment elements, and efforts to make her PTI Chairperson.
• Aleema Khan confirmed the accusations were relayed to her by Imran Khan but dismissed them as unfounded.
• She reiterated that Imran Khan is, and will remain, the only PTI Chairman.
• Imran Khan intervened directly, restraining both from making public statements against each other.
• PTI Senator Ali Zafar said Imran Khan expressed regret over the public spat and emphasized unity.
• A new coordination team has been appointed by Imran Khan to manage political and legal affairs.

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Gandapur’s Allegations

In a video message after meeting Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, CM Ali Amin Gandapur levelled sharp accusations against Aleema Khan. He alleged that she played a “big role” in dividing the party and promoting internal groupism, which he said disheartened workers.

He further claimed Aleema Khan was working with certain vloggers to malign him and other senior PTI figures, accusing them of treachery during the provincial budget process. Gandapur also alleged that campaigns were being run to promote Aleema Khan as PTI Chairperson, citing articles published by her relative Hafeezullah Niazi.

The most controversial claim was Gandapur’s suggestion that Aleema Khan was being “facilitated by Military Intelligence and the establishment” in these efforts — a charge that intensified the controversy.

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Aleema Khan’s Response

Aleema Khan acknowledged that Imran Khan himself informed her of Gandapur’s complaints but downplayed their seriousness. She confirmed that Gandapur accused her of wanting the PTI chairmanship and of alleged contacts with MI.

Rejecting the accusations, Aleema Khan insisted: “Imran Khan is, and will remain, the only PTI Chairman.” She added that the PTI founder laughed while recounting Gandapur’s complaints, implying the matter carried little weight in his view.

Imran Khan’s Intervention

The escalating war of words forced Imran Khan to step in. According to PTI Senator Ali Zafar, the party founder expressed regret that senior figures were publicly airing grievances, which only benefited political opponents.

He immediately restrained both Ali Amin Gandapur and Aleema Khan from issuing further statements against each other. Imran Khan also summoned Gandapur for another round of talks in jail to clear misunderstandings.

To streamline communication, Imran Khan appointed four new coordinators to handle his legal and political matters, signaling tighter internal management going forward.

Coalition Under Pressure

The feud has highlighted cracks inside PTI at a delicate moment. Gandapur, seen as one of the party’s most vocal defenders in KP, and Aleema Khan, a close confidante of Imran Khan, both command influence in different circles. Analysts warn that if such disputes continue to spill into the public domain, PTI’s internal cohesion and external credibility could be further weakened.

For now, the PTI founder’s intervention has temporarily contained the dispute, but questions remain over the underlying divisions that triggered this unusual family-versus-party clash.

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