ISLAMABAD: A minor argument between Fawad Chaudhry, a former PTI leader, and Shoaib Shaheen, a PTI ticket-holder, escalated into a scuffle outside Adiala Jail on Saturday as both men were heading to meet former Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to witnesses and media reports.
The altercation reportedly began when Chaudhry, who left PTI after the May 9 crackdown, allegedly called Shaheen a ‘tout.’ Shaheen, who lost the 2024 election to a PML-N candidate, retorted, telling Chaudhry to mind his own business, claiming that he had no connection to PTI following his exit.
The exchange quickly turned physical, with Chaudhry reportedly slapping Shaheen. Media reports also indicated that Chaudhry injured his hand during the incident. However, both men managed to enter the jail before the situation could escalate further.
The altercation was discussed during their meeting with Imran Khan in the makeshift courtroom. Later, Chaudhry spoke to reporters, accusing Shaheen of continuously speaking against him. He referred to an incident where Shaheen had claimed that Imran Khan had called Chaudhry a deserter.
“I know it wasn’t true. I asked Imran Khan if he had said that, and he denied using such words,” Chaudhry said. However, he claimed that the matter had been resolved between them, as per Khan’s instructions. “We forgave each other and reached a settlement.”
Chaudhry also asserted that he had never left PTI and denied joining any other party, despite having the option to join the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party, which could have led to a ministerial position. “I didn’t go for it,” he stated.
In contrast, Shoaib Shaheen stated that he would not forgive Chaudhry. He explained that he had only conveyed Imran Khan’s message that Chaudhry had no ties with PTI. Speaking to the media, Shaheen added that Imran Khan had condemned the altercation and insisted that no reconciliation had taken place between them.
“I will not file a complaint against Chaudhry within the party, but I will never forgive him,” Shaheen said. He also confirmed that he would not involve the police in the matter.
PTI lawyer Nadia Khattak, who was present outside the prison, acknowledged that differences between party leaders were common but stressed that physical violence was unacceptable.
This incident highlights the growing divisions within PTI, which has seen deep internal rifts and the formation of several factions following Imran Khan’s imprisonment in 2023. Recently, party stalwart Sher Afzal Marwat was expelled after developing differences with Secretary General Salman Akram Raja. Prior to Marwat’s removal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was replaced as head of the provincial party chapter by Junaid Akbar.
