Aleema Khan, the sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has expressed significant frustration with the party’s leadership over the postponement of the Islamabad rally. In a leaked phone call, reportedly featuring Aleema Khan, she questioned the decision-making behind the rally’s delay.
Aleema Khan expressed confusion as to why Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, the PTI chairman who was not incarcerated, did not make the decision regarding the rally. She also questioned why party leader Azam Swati was directed to request the postponement from Imran Khan. “On whose request did Azam Swati meet the PTI founder early in the morning?” a voice believed to be hers can be heard asking.
She further challenged the authorization of Swati’s meeting with Imran Khan, implying a lack of transparency. “Who allowed Azam Swati to meet the PTI founder?” she questioned.
Aleema Khan criticized the leadership for avoiding direct engagement with party workers, suggesting that the postponement decision was made without proper consultation and out of fear of facing the party members directly. “When they lacked the courage to face the workers, they got the rally postponed through [Imran Khan],” she alleged.
Earlier on Thursday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan announced the postponement of the rally, citing directions from Imran Khan. The decision came amid heightened security measures and a tense political climate. The administration had revoked the party’s permit for the event late the previous night, leading to roadblocks and heightened security across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Access to the Red Zone was restricted, with only government employees permitted entry by showing their office IDs.
