Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan has ordered all party members to immediately resign from the standing committees of the Punjab Assembly, said chairman lawyer Gohar Ali Khan.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail on Thursday, he said the party is currently heading 14 such committees and Khan has issued clear instructions for a collective withdrawal.
Following these directives, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Moeen Riaz Qureshi has directed PTI legislators to tender their resignations from all committee chairpersonships in accordance with Imran Khan’s orders.
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According to party sources, the PTI has already started the process of withdrawing from its functions in the standing committees of the provincial assembly. Qureshi confirmed the move and ordered all committee chairmen belonging to the party to formally submit their resignations.
“The opposition members will not only resign from the committees but will also return the official vehicles allotted to them,” Qureshi told the media.
Imran replaces Gandapur for security
The PTI chairman further confirmed that Imran had expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, particularly on issues related to security and law and order in the province.
In response, Imran nominated Suhail Afridi, a tribal representative, as the new KP chief minister.
Gohar urged the KP governor to quickly accept Gandapur’s resignation to ensure smooth transfer of power. “There was no consultation with me about changing the prime minister, but those decisions rest solely with the founder of the party, and the party accepts them,” he said.
The PTI chairman also provided updates on Imran’s ongoing legal proceedings, stating that the trial in the Toshakhana-II case has concluded and final arguments will be presented on October 13, with a verdict expected early next week.
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“This is the fifth false case against the PTI founder,” Gohar said, alleging that the charges were politically motivated to keep Imran imprisoned. He added that Imran remains in good spirits and continues to play an active role in party affairs from jail.
Imran has also expressed concern over reports of possible military operations in KP, warning that “no operation can succeed without a strong political strategy.”
“He believes the province and the party cannot afford another military operation,” Gohar said. “He wants the transition to the new prime minister to be quick so that the new cabinet can be finalized.”
Gohar denies leadership breakup rumors
Meanwhile, the PTI president dismissed reports of internal divisions and major leadership changes within the party as “baseless rumours”. His statement came as party members suggested that significant reshuffles within the PTI’s central leadership could be imminent.
Sources claimed that Junaid Akbar is being considered to replace Gohar as PTI chairman while Raoof Hasan could take up the role of information secretary in place of Sheikh Waqas Akram.
The reports emerged a day after former KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur officially resigned from his post following the directives of party founder Imran Khan.
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However, lawyer Gohar refuted these claims and reaffirmed that the party remains united and that there is “no crisis in relation to the presidency.”
He dismissed the reports as mere speculation. “Our party is strong and operates according to its constitution,” he said. “Let me make it clear: if I were to resign today, the party would cease to exist in its current structure as per the directives of the Supreme Court.”
Gohar also categorically denied the existence of any advanced bloc within the PTI, emphasizing that all internal decisions, including those related to leadership and governance, are taken in accordance with the vision of party founder Imran Khan.
