Sharp exchanges and walkouts marked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party meeting, with Azam Swati leaving the session after Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rebuked him over claims of authority to hold negotiations. The inside story of the meeting has come to light, with sources saying members criticised statements by some leaders against their own party in the media and demanded that Barrister Gohar investigate those.
According to sources, Mashail Yousafzai expressed a lack of confidence in Ali Amin Gandapur and the opposition leadership, saying the PTI founder was ill but Gandapur was focused on a long march instead of negotiations. Asad Qaiser responded that the PTI founder had expressed confidence in Ali Amin Gandapur, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
Reacting to Mashail Yousafzai's position, Shafqat Awan said: "Do not level allegations against our members or Gandapur; instead of giving the government a tough time, our members are accusing their own people." According to sources, the majority of parliamentary party members were of the view that they should hold negotiations in any case.
Noorul Haq Qadri said "negotiations, negotiations, negotiations" three times, which drew applause from everyone. Sources said sharp words were also exchanged between members, prompting Khawaja Sheeraz, Ali Muhammad Khan, and Faisal Amin Gandapur to leave the meeting.
According to sources, Azam Swati said at the meeting that the PTI founder had given him authority to hold negotiations. Rebuking Swati, Barrister Gohar said he had himself asked the PTI founder in jail about the authority for negotiations, and the PTI founder told him that Azam Swati had not been given the authority to negotiate.
Barrister Gohar said the PTI founder told him that full authority for negotiations rests with Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. According to sources, after this exchange, Azam Swati left the meeting.
According to a party statement, the PTI joint parliamentary party meeting reaffirmed its commitment to jailed party founder Imran Khan, his leadership, decisions, and vision for Pakistan. It expressed concern over the economic situation and called for urgent measures to curb inflation, revive economic activity, and provide meaningful public relief.
Earlier, an emergency meeting of PTI members of the Senate and National Assembly, chaired by party Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, discussed the political situation, economy, and other key issues. Opposition leaders in the two houses, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mehmood Khan Achakzai, respectively, could not attend owing to prior commitments.
A resolution reaffirmed the party's commitment to Imran Khan's struggle for democracy, constitutional supremacy, justice, and public rights. The meeting rejected emergency and governor's rule as assaults on provincial autonomy and federal principles.
It demanded their withdrawal, restoration of the elected provincial government under Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and release of Gandapur, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, and PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan. While condemning terrorism and all terrorist organisations, the meeting expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation and acknowledged the sacrifices of armed forces, police, and civilians.