ISLAMABAD: Cracks within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have emerged shortly after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, with party leaders accusing each other of being “traitors” during a recent meeting.
The core committee, PTI’s highest decision-making body led by Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, which has taken charge of the party’s affairs following Khan’s arrest, has become divided into two factions.
However, during a meeting, these rival groups reportedly engaged in heated exchanges, openly labeling each other as “traitors,” the insider information from PTI sources revealed.
Allegations were made among PTI leaders regarding the leaking of details and recordings from core committee meetings.
On the other hand, certain members of the core committee believe that serious matters should no longer be discussed in this forum.
A PTI leader said that he would unveil the name of the alleged traitor if Secretary General PTI Omar Ayub and Senator Shibli Faraz granted him permission to do so.
“During a meeting, one of the leaders declared that a traitor is present here,” as told by sources within the party.
The sources further claimed that the secretary-general was maintaining constant communication with the member who accused him of being a traitor during the core committee meeting.
Furthermore, there are assertions that Omar Ayub and Shah Mahmood Qureshi are both actively vying for the position of PTI chairman in the future.
PTI’s Traitors
Meanwhile, PTI leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat previously asserted that there were traitors in the core committee and Imran Khan’s legal team, jeopardizing his safety. Marwat claimed that recordings of core committee meetings had been shared with opponents and media individuals.
Moreover, he said, “The presence of traitors in the PTI core committee is undeniable. They have leaked recordings of core committee meetings to adversaries and even to media personnel. Shockingly, the Legal team’s Zoom meeting details/recordings have been shared with outsiders, endangering my life and liberty. I am now in hiding and may be apprehended by the designated team.”
Additionally, Marwat also mentioned that he had informed the party and documented voice messages regarding those pursuing him. He added that he had identified his pursuers and shared their names with a group of lawyers for potential legal action if he were to go missing. Marwat expressed his intention to disclose the names of the traitors if allowed by relevant party members and if he survived the situation.
completely Fabricated
Meanwhile, in response, Omar Ayub denied the report, labeling it “completely fabricated.” He reiterated that Imran Khan was the Chairman of PTI and would continue to be so. Ayub also rejected the notion of any factions within PTI or the core committee.
Ayub emphasized that decision-making was being conducted smoothly and with consensus within the framework established by Imran Khan.
However, he held Shah Mahmood Qureshi in high regard and clarified that there had never been any arguments within PTI’s core committee meetings.
He further stated that PTI was united and poised to overcome opponents in the upcoming General Elections with the support of the public and Allah’s will. He warned opponents to prepare to face PTI in the electoral arena.
