Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has conveyed strong dissatisfaction with the management of the party’s September 27 rally in Peshawar, his lawyer and PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja revealed on Monday.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, Raja said Khan was displeased with the overall organisation of the rally, which took place after a 10-month gap at a reported cost of millions of rupees.
According to Raja, Khan had received several complaints from workers and supporters regarding dust, poor facilities, and mismanagement at the venue. Many PTI supporters also expressed anger over inadequate arrangements and acts of violence against workers, which they condemned publicly.
The PTI founder, he said, made it clear that party leaders must take responsibility and enhance their performance if they wish to remain relevant. “Either the leadership walks with the people, or it will be left behind,” Khan reportedly told the leadership.
Khan also questioned the choice of venue and stressed the importance of keeping the party’s politics non-confrontational. Referring to the incident in which shoes were displayed at the rally, Khan instructed PTI leaders to carry the people along instead of encouraging a hostile approach.
Salman Akram Raja also responded to questions about Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, clarifying that she does not intervene in party decision-making but only conveys messages on behalf of her brother. He added that Imran Khan has categorically directed party leaders to manage affairs directly and run the party themselves.
Raja further emphasised that Khan’s stance remains “pro-state,” highlighting his consistent demand for constitutional supremacy and rule of law. Addressing criticism over alleged anti-state tweets, Raja said Khan has always advocated peaceful, constitutional means.
On the May 9 cases, Raja conveyed Khan’s objections to what he described as “WhatsApp trials,” in which Khan is allegedly denied basic constitutional rights. He said that in the GHQ attack case, proceedings were carried out via phone calls placed before Khan, leaving him unable to directly communicate with lawyers or confront witnesses.
Raja denounced this as a serious violation of due process, insisting that the former prime minister has been denied fair trial rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
