Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan has directed all party members to immediately resign from the standing committees of the Punjab Assembly, Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said.
Speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail on Thursday, he said the party currently heads 14 such committees and that Khan has issued clear instructions for a collective withdrawal.
Following these directives, Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Moeen Riaz Qureshi has instructed PTI lawmakers to submit their resignations from all committee chairmanships in line with Imran Khan’s orders.
Also Read: UK court imposes £350,000 penalty on Adil Raja in defamation case
According to party sources, PTI has already begun the process of withdrawing from its roles in the provincial assembly’s standing committees. Qureshi confirmed the move and directed all committee chairpersons belonging to the party to formally tender their resignations.
“Not only will opposition members resign from the committees, but they will also return the official vehicles assigned to them,” Qureshi told the media.
Imran replaces Gandapur over security
The PTI chairman further confirmed that Imran had expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of former Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, particularly over issues related to security and law and order in the province.
In response, Imran nominated Suhail Afridi, a tribal representative, as the new K-P chief minister.
Gohar urged the K-P governor to promptly accept Gandapur’s resignation to ensure a smooth transfer of power. “There was no consultation with me regarding the change of the chief minister, but such decisions rest solely with the party founder, and the party accepts them,” he said.
The PTI chairman also provided updates on Imran’s ongoing legal proceedings, stating that the trial in the Toshakhana-II case has concluded and that final arguments will be presented on October 13, with a verdict expected early next week.
Read More: Major Sibtain Haider martyred in DI Khan IBO, seven terrorists killed
“This is the fifth bogus case against the PTI founder,” Gohar said, alleging that the charges were politically motivated to keep Imran imprisoned. He added that Imran remains in high spirits and continues to play an active role in party affairs from jail.
Imran has also voiced concern over reports of possible military operations in K-P, warning that “no operation can succeed without a solid political strategy.”
“He believes the province and party cannot afford another military operation,” Gohar said. “He wants the transition to the new chief minister to be swift so that the new cabinet can be finalised.”
Gohar denies leadership rift rumors
Meanwhile, the PTI chairman dismissed reports of internal rifts and major leadership changes within the party, terming them “baseless rumors.” His statement came as party insiders suggested that significant reshuffles may be imminent within PTI’s central leadership.
Sources claimed that Junaid Akbar is being considered to replace Gohar as PTI chairman, while Raoof Hasan could assume the role of information secretary in place of Sheikh Waqas Akram.
The reports surfaced a day after former K-P chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur officially resigned from office on the directives of party founder Imran Khan.
Also Read: Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of TLP rally
However, Barrister Gohar refuted these claims, reaffirming that the party remains united and that there is “no crisis concerning the chairmanship.”
He dismissed the reports as mere speculation. “Our party is strong and functioning according to its constitution,” he said. “Let me make it clear—if I were to resign today, the party would cease to exist in its current structure under the Supreme Court’s directives.”
Gohar also categorically denied the existence of any forward bloc within PTI, emphasising that all internal decisions, including those related to leadership and governance, are taken in line with the vision of party founder Imran Khan.
