Sayed Zulfi Bukhari, a close aide to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, stated at SOAS University of London that appointing Usman Buzdar as the Chief Minister of Punjab was a significant mistake for the party.
He claimed that Imran Khan realized the mistake, but political complexities and internal party dynamics limited the options for Buzdar’s replacement. Speaking on the topic of “Democracy in Crisis,” Bukhari candidly discussed PTI’s mistakes during its nearly four-year tenure in government.
Bukhari acknowledged that Imran Khan recognized Buzdar was not the ideal choice for Punjab Chief Minister, but the political landscape within the party, with multiple factions vying for influence, complicated the situation.
He mentioned groups like the Aleem Khan faction and others who wanted Buzdar replaced, but doing so would have sparked internal conflicts within PTI. According to Bukhari, Imran Khan chose to stick with Buzdar to avoid internal strife, even though Buzdar’s performance was criticized.
Regarding Farah Gogi, a close associate of Bushra Bibi, Bukhari distanced himself and PTI from her. He suggested that if allegations of corruption against Gogi are true, she should face legal consequences. Bukhari explained that Imran Khan defended Gogi in the media because he was unaware of her business activities, and it wasn’t his responsibility to investigate her.
Bukhari condemned the May 9 attacks on military installations, emphasizing PTI’s opposition to violence. He stated that leaders should channel emotions toward a democratic process for real change.
Reflecting on PTI’s governance, Bukhari admitted mistakes but expressed a commitment to avoiding such errors in the future, highlighting a different kind of leadership.
Addressing a question, Bukhari claimed that two individuals close to Imran Khan during the PTI government were behind a false case against him, specifically mentioning the Ring Road case.
He expressed PTI’s readiness to engage with all political parties, including PML-N and PPP, for discussions on elections and democracy. However, he noted that PML-N viewed PTI as a rival in Punjab, while PPP had no such issue.
Bukhari disclosed that over 13,000 activists were arrested after the events of May 9, with some remaining in jail, emphasizing that PTI is willing to engage in dialogue with other political parties to find a way forward.
