LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is grappling with internal discord following the failure of its “final call” protest in Islamabad. Key party leaders, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, have stepped down from their positions, citing mismanagement and infighting as primary reasons.
Salman Akram Raja submitted his resignation to party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, who confirmed its receipt. However, the decision to accept the resignation remains pending until the incarcerated party founder, Imran Khan, reviews it. Until then, Raja has been asked to continue his responsibilities.
Separately, SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza announced his withdrawal from PTI’s core and political committees, stating that he would present his resignation from the National Assembly to Imran Khan. “I will continue supporting PTI and Imran Khan but have decided to distance myself from internal conflicts,” he said.
Blame Game Among Leaders
Resignations come after heated discussions during party meetings held over two days. Sources revealed that the committees spent most of their time assigning blame for the party’s failure in Islamabad. Salman Akram Raja was criticized for his inability to mobilize supporters from Lahore, leaving KP workers unsupported at D-Chowk.
Insiders also disclosed that Raja felt demoralized due to interference from former first lady Bushra Bibi, who allegedly issued inflexible instructions. According to reports, her demands for ticket-holders and office-bearers to bring large crowds—5,000 from each MPA and 10,000 from each MNA—added pressure without providing clear guidance on adapting to changing scenarios.
Additionally, Bushra Bibi’s directive to avoid mobilizing crowds from Punjab ahead of the protest reportedly caused confusion and contributed to the party’s retreat. Punjab leaders also claimed that the provincial government’s strict measures, including roadblocks and Section 144 impositions, hindered efforts to reach the capital.
Strategic Missteps
Criticism also focused on the lack of a cohesive strategy to adapt during the protest. Despite requests to regroup at Sangjani and await reinforcements from Punjab, instructions from leadership ceased on November 26. Senior leaders warned against advancing without a solid plan, but these warnings were ignored.
Sahibzada Hamid Raza, speaking on the issue, suggested a staggered approach to mobilization, where caravans from KP would move first, followed by those from different parts of Punjab over subsequent days. However, this strategy was not implemented, leading to disarray.
Raza also highlighted the lack of coordination, revealing that by the time his supporters reached Islamabad, the KP caravan had already dispersed. He stated, “I will not take responsibility for mistakes made by others.”
Future Uncertain
Sources within PTI suggest that more resignations are imminent, with leaders from Sindh and Punjab reportedly expressing their intent to step down. While former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser denied rumors about replacing Barrister Gohar as chairman, he confirmed that discussions about the leadership and future strategies would take place after consultation with Imran Khan.
