Public Row Over Punjab Leadership Exposes Deepening Rift Within PTI

LAHORE, Oct 31, 2025: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has once again found itself embroiled in internal discord — this time over the leadership of its Central Punjab chapter — despite repeated instructions from imprisoned party founder Imran Khan to avoid airing disputes publicly.

The latest controversy unfolded on the social media platform X, where PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Punjab Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza Malik engaged in a public exchange over the decision to remove Ahmad Chattha and Bilal Ejaz from their respective positions as Central Punjab president and general secretary.

The dispute has exposed renewed divisions within the party’s ranks, particularly among its senior legal and organisational figures, and comes amid ongoing confusion over who holds authority to submit visitor lists for meetings with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.

Dispute Over Punjab Leadership

The controversy stems from an October 16 notification issued by Ms Hamza, announcing the removal of Ahmad Chattha and Bilal Ejaz on what were claimed to be instructions from the PTI founder. Ali Imtiaz Warraich was named as the new Central Punjab president.

However, Salman Akram Raja publicly disputed that Imran Khan had approved any such decision. In a series of posts, he stated that no directive for a leadership change had been issued during his visit to Adiala Jail alongside Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and that he would seek confirmation from the party founder at their next meeting.

On Wednesday, Mr Raja clarified that he was later informed the decision had been conveyed to Barrister Gohar prior to his arrival at the jail. He further revealed that two lawyers, Ali Imran and Mubashir Maqsood Awan, had met Imran Khan and claimed to have received instructions regarding Mr Warraich’s appointment.

Tensions escalated after Imran Khan’s official X account — which he does not personally operate while incarcerated — denied having issued any order to remove Chattha or Ejaz.

“Ahmad Chattha and Bilal Ejaz are my long-standing and loyal companions… I have not issued any orders for their removal,” the post read.

Responding to the growing controversy, Aliya Hamza said she was merely implementing directives passed to her and emphasised that Imran Khan remained the “final authority” on all party matters.

When contacted, Ms Hamza denied any leadership crisis within the Punjab chapter, maintaining that Dr Yasmin Rashid continued to hold the position of PTI Punjab president, while she was serving as acting head on Khan’s instructions following Hammad Azhar’s resignation.

Tensions Among Party Lawyers

The internal discord was further compounded by a separate dispute over the submission of lists of individuals permitted to meet Imran Khan in jail. The Supreme Court had recently clarified that the party’s secretary general — Salman Akram Raja — was authorised to send such lists to prison authorities.

Despite this, two separate lists were reportedly sent to the Adiala Jail superintendent on October 29 — one from Mr Raja and another from Senator Barrister Ali Zafar. Mr Raja later wrote that he had informed Barrister Zafar in advance and personally ensured the list was delivered via courier, WhatsApp, and through a representative lawyer, yet a separate list was submitted by the senator.

Embarrassment Within Party Ranks

Several PTI insiders privately expressed dismay at the public nature of the dispute, saying such displays of internal discord had embarrassed the party at a critical time.

“This kind of controversy between senior figures makes a mockery of the party,” one senior leader admitted.

The ongoing rifts highlight the growing organisational uncertainty within PTI as it struggles to maintain coherence while its founder remains behind bars and key leadership figures vie for influence within the party’s provincial structures.

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