No Room for “Banarasi Thugs” in PTI Dallas: No Compromise on Ethics, Law, or Transparency, Says Nadeem Zaman
By Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
Dallas, Texas: Nadeem Zaman, the North America Coordinator of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has issued a strong warning against the misuse of the party’s name and platform, declaring a zero tolerance policy toward alleged blackmail, fraudulent fundraising, and staged theatrics carried out in the name of the party.
In a detailed statement and exclusive interview with The Jago Times, Mr. Zaman addressed allegations that certain individuals, including men and women associated with PTI circles, have been exploiting social media groups to blackmail restaurant owners under the guise of online reviews, extorting money in the name of marketing, staging a fake arrest in Pakistan to gain public sympathy in the United States, collecting donations in the name of disabled individuals, and using the party’s platform for personal gain.
Mr. Zaman said that such activities are not only a gross violation of PTI’s code of conduct but also constitute serious breaches of the law. “There is no place for such practices in PTI,” he said, adding that the party would neither tolerate nor ignore these actions.
According to Mr. Zaman, the party has received multiple complaints from restaurant owners in the Dallas area who allege being pressured to make monthly payments in exchange for favorable reviews. He described these practices as clear cases of white collar crime involving blackmail and fraud, and said that PTI would formally report such cases to law enforcement authorities.
Mr. Zaman revealed that his organization also operates a non profit entity focused on white collar crime, through which legal assistance will be provided to affected business owners in order to dismantle what he described as an emerging extortion network.
He further alleged that a female PTI affiliate based in Dallas staged a carefully planned and orchestrated fake arrest in Pakistan, producing videos designed to create the impression of persecution in order to gain sympathy and stature among PTI supporters in the United States. “A closer look at the footage makes it clear that the arrest was staged and pre planned,” Mr. Zaman said.
He warned that such fabricated narratives undermine the credibility of the party and demoralize those PTI workers in Pakistan who are genuinely facing state repression and political persecution.
Addressing concerns over fundraising, Mr. Zaman emphasized that using PTI’s name, flag, or the name of Imran Khan for personal financial benefit is both unethical and illegal. He stressed that the party recognizes fundraising only for officially approved and well known institutions associated with Imran Khan, including Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Namal College, and the Imran Khan Foundation.
Any fundraising conducted outside these recognized channels, he said, has no connection with PTI, and the party bears no responsibility for it. He added that the party maintains a strict internal monitoring system and has previously issued notices even for internal fundraising efforts conducted without prior approval.
Mr. Zaman urged community members and overseas Pakistanis to remain vigilant against fake videos, staged arrests, and suspicious donation campaigns, and to report any questionable activities to the party or relevant authorities.
“PTI North America’s position is clear,” Mr. Zaman said. “There will be no compromise on ethics, the law, or transparency, regardless of who is involved.”
