Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has directed party lawmakers to resign from all parliamentary committees and boycott the upcoming by-elections, according to his sister Aleema Khan, who shared details after meeting him at Adiala jail on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists outside the prison, Aleema Khan said Imran Khan had instructed PTI members to immediately step down from all standing committees of the National Assembly. She added that the party founder had also issued directives to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Salman Akram Raja regarding the upcoming by-polls, emphasizing that participation would only lend legitimacy to the elections.
Reports earlier indicated internal disagreements within PTI over contesting the by-elections. While 13 members of the political committee supported participation, nine opposed it. The divide reportedly left Salman Akram Raja disheartened, leading him to offer his resignation from the secretary general post. However, Imran Khan later refused to accept his resignation.
Aleema further revealed that Imran Khan has nominated Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Nasir Abbas for the post of opposition leader in the Senate, and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai for opposition leader in the National Assembly.
During the meeting, the PTI founder also expressed concern over the situation of his wife Bushra Bibi, as well as the arrests of Shershah and Shahrez in connection with the May 9 riots. According to police, video evidence places Shershah at Jinnah House, while Shahrez’s name appeared in a supplementary investigation report in September 2023.
On national matters, Imran voiced disappointment over the state of cricket under PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and expressed sorrow for flood-affected people in Buner and other regions. Regarding his health, Aleema clarified that Imran was generally well but facing an eye issue for which treatment from PIMS doctors would be sought through court intervention.
She added that this was the first time in four months that all of Imran Khan’s sisters were able to meet him, after repeated unsuccessful attempts.
