***
### PTI Founder Levels Explosive Allegations Against Internal Leadership
Akbar S. Babar, a founding member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has issued a forceful statement regarding the incumbent party leadership’s attempts to amend the party constitution and hold new intra-party elections. Babar characterized these actions as “unacceptable,” condemning them as yet another “dacoity” (robbery) on the fundamental constitutional rights of PTI workers.
Babar alleged that the current clique controlling the party (قابض ٹولہ) has repeatedly conducted fraudulent internal elections, severely damaging PTI both politically and legally. He specifically referenced the catastrophic repercussions of the manipulated polls, asserting they caused “irreparable damage” to the party’s standing leading up to the February 8 general elections.
**Legal and Financial Challenges**
The founding member confirmed that the party held another contested internal election in March 2024, which he has formally challenged since March 5. Babar stated that the controlling faction is currently using a judicial stay order to prevent the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from delivering a final verdict on the legitimacy of those polls.
He asserted that the current leadership’s decision to pursue constitutional changes and new elections confirms the March 3, 2024, exercise was fraudulent and illegal.
“All current PTI office-bearers are self-proclaimed, illegal, and are usurpers,” Babar stated. “Their control over PTI’s resources is also illegal.”
Consequently, he has formally petitioned the ECP to freeze all PTI bank accounts until a legitimate leadership structure is established. He noted that the ECP has already notified the self-appointed leadership that they possess no legal standing.
**Warning Against Exploitation**
Babar warned that PTI, which he described as a trust (امانت) belonging to its workers, has been repeatedly betrayed by the controlling clique for their own political ambitions.
“This exploitative politics will not continue,” he declared, adding a stark political warning: “We will not allow PTI to become another Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
Regarding the predicament of the Founding Chairman, Babar maintained that the only viable path to resolution is a legal one, rejecting what he termed “anti-national politics.” He urged ideological leaders and workers to politically and legally challenge the malafide intentions of the party’s current custodians.
***
### National Briefs and Developments
**PTI Financial Crisis:**
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf appears to be facing a significant financial crunch. The party has reportedly asked its parliamentarians to contribute 10 percent of their salaries to ensure operational continuity.
**Governance and Transparency:**
The Ministry of Finance announced that details of assets owned by high-ranking federal and provincial officers will be made public on a government website by the end of the next financial year. This initiative is part of a broader effort to scrutinize and ensure transparency regarding the assets of senior officials.
**Infrastructure and Weather:**
Severe fog has gripped various parts of the country, drastically reducing visibility and disrupting motorway traffic. Several major motorway sections were closed, including the M1 (Rashakai to Peshawar), M2 (Hiran Minar to Thokar Niaz Beg), M3 (Faizpur to Rajana), and M5 (Multan to Zahir Pir, and Rohri to Rahim Yar Khan). Separately, an accident on the M4 near Khanewal involving a bus and a trailer resulted in the death of a bus hostess and injuries to four passengers.
**Customs Seizures:**
Pakistan Customs reported significant anti-smuggling success, seizing gold and silver valued at over PKR 306 million over the past five months.
**Political and Development Updates:**
* Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held meetings with global leaders during his visit to Turkmenistan.
* A political committee, including members like Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, has been formed to discuss national affairs.
* Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal raised concerns over the severe 190% cost escalation and slow progress of the Karachi Yellow Line project over the last six years.
* Senator Talal Chaudhry, Minister of State for Interior, stated that the political career of anyone who “crosses the red lines” will be concluded.
* A delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD) visited the NGC Headquarters in Lahore.
