A crucial Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday exposed internal fissures, as leaders debated the Election Commission’s decision on reserved seats and letters from jailed party leaders were read out.

The meeting, attended by MNAs, MPAs, senators, and senior leadership, witnessed heated arguments between members over recent decisions and leadership conduct.

The session began with PTI leader Aamir Dogar reading out emotional letters written by jailed party colleagues, setting a solemn tone.

Discussions soon turned tense, however, with sharp criticism from some members over the party’s direction and handling of key political moments.

Senior party figure Salman Akram Raja urged members to show respect and empathy towards Imran Khan’s sisters, calling their emotional appeals for their brother’s release sincere and deserving of compassion.

However, Nisar Jutt openly criticised KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and the central leadership for ignoring Khan’s request for a meeting before the budget vote.

“Why was the leadership unable to meet the PTI founder when he had asked? Budget decisions could have waited,” Jutt said, pointing to growing rifts highlighted in statements from Aleema Khan and other senior party figures.

Ali Muhammad Khan expressed deep concern over the party’s internal chaos, saying, “We are hurting ourselves by labelling each other traitors. We stood united during the protests of the past.”

He emphasised that Punjab’s active political role would be key to Khan’s release and proposed that protests be held nationwide rather than focusing solely on Islamabad.

He also advised that while Aleema Khan is respected, she should not take part in political decision-making, and urged Barrister Gohar to lead the charge on dialogue with political and establishment stakeholders, stressing the need for immediate contact with the party founder.

Zartaj Gul, while praising Gandapur’s role as chief minister, called for strict adherence to Imran Khan’s protest directives, referencing his latest call for nationwide demonstrations.

“Each member should mobilise protests in their respective districts and tehsils,” she said.

She proposed forming a negotiation committee, the names of which should be approved directly by Imran Khan.

“There is a deliberate campaign to discredit our leadership. Our members are not just disqualified, some face 10-year sentences — we must now build a unified, strategic response,” she added.

Reserved seats and suspended memberships

The meeting also addressed the suspension of 26 PTI MPAs in the Punjab Assembly, which remains a key point of frustration among members.

The leadership reaffirmed its intent to challenge the ECP’s decision and fight for the rights of jailed and disqualified members through legal and political means.