LAHORE – Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that internal conflicts within PTI have become so serious that even former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sidelined by both his party and family. She called it “divine justice” that the man who once tried to remove Nawaz Sharif from politics is now isolated himself.
Her comments followed a statement by Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, who suggested that a “minus-Imran” strategy was in effect. Aleema made the remark after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget was passed without Imran Khan’s approval, despite him being the party’s founder. Imran has been in jail for nearly two years on various charges.
Azma also accused Aleema Khan of plotting against KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. She stated that Gandapur himself has now acknowledged the conspiracies against him. “If Gandapur had failed to pass the budget, he would have been constitutionally required to resign,” she added.
She further claimed that PTI is facing deep divisions, with three active factions at the federal level. In KP, three groups are also operating independently — one led by Junaid Akbar, another by Atif Khan, and the third made up of those who have already rebelled against PTI.
In response, PTI Punjab media head Shayan Bashir dismissed Azma’s remarks, calling them part of a smear campaign. He said the current government is “imposed and incompetent,” and that their efforts to push Imran out of politics will fail, just like before.
Bashir also accused the PML-N of using cheap tactics and foul language to stay relevant. “Instead of attacking PTI, they should explain the billions lost due to corruption in Punjab,” he said, defending Imran Khan’s leadership and denying any real split within the party.