The PTI Imran Khan meeting dispute has intensified after party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rejected claims by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif that PTI leaders had failed to meet the party’s incarcerated founder despite being offered an opportunity. Speaking to the media in Peshawar on Monday, Gohar said the party had made every possible effort through court proceedings and negotiations but had not been granted access to Imran Khan.
He described Saif’s statements as baseless and rejected them outright, highlighting differences between the two party leaders over attempts to arrange meetings with the former prime minister.
Gohar Says PTI Made Every Effort
Addressing journalists, Gohar said PTI had repeatedly attempted to secure a meeting with its founder through legal channels and negotiations. However, according to him, these efforts had not resulted in even a single meeting.
He added that access to Imran Khan was also included among the party’s conditions during negotiations. Gohar directly rejected Saif’s version of events, saying that the claims made during his television interview were false.
The disagreement has brought attention to communication and decision-making within PTI at a time when its founder remains in prison and party leaders continue to raise concerns about access to him.
What Barrister Saif Said
The controversy followed an interview given by Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on Geo News programme Jirga. During the interview, Saif discussed contacts involving Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and important figures in the establishment.
Saif said Raja Nasir Abbas was in direct contact with influential establishment figures but maintained that these contacts were not intended to secure Imran Khan’s release.
His remarks prompted Gohar’s response, particularly over the question of whether PTI leaders had been offered an opportunity to meet their incarcerated founder.
The PTI Imran Khan meeting dispute reflects differing public accounts among party figures about negotiations, political contacts and efforts to obtain access to Imran. Gohar’s response makes clear that the party chairman does not accept Saif’s description of the situation.
Constitutional Amendment Linked to Meeting With Imran
Separately, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja connected any decision by the party on the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment to a meeting with Imran Khan.
His position highlights the importance PTI places on consulting its founder before taking decisions on major political and constitutional matters.
Raja also acknowledged that he was unable to exercise control over the party’s social media activity, raising another issue concerning coordination within the organisation.
PTI Denies Internal Divisions
Amid reports of disagreements among party figures, PTI dismissed claims that internal divisions had weakened its ranks. In a statement issued after a meeting of its political committee, the party said its leadership and workers remained united behind Imran Khan, his ideology and his political mission.
The committee discussed the country’s political situation, inflation and law-and-order concerns. It maintained that there was no grouping or division within the party and said members would continue working towards their shared objectives.
The statement appears intended to address speculation about internal differences while reaffirming the party’s official position.
Demands Over Detained Leaders and Medical Treatment
The political committee also demanded the release of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, provincial assembly speaker and other detained parliamentarians. PTI described their detention as illegal and argued that keeping elected representatives in custody undermined democratic values and the public mandate.
The party also expressed concern over reports that Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, had been shifted to hospital without their families being taken into confidence.
PTI called for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s order concerning medical treatment for Imran. It also demanded that his family receive regular updates about his health and be allowed to visit him.
The committee raised similar concerns about Bushra Bibi, calling for appropriate medical facilities and family meetings. It further condemned the arrests of Imran’s sisters and demanded their release and permission for them to meet the former prime minister.
PTI Raises Concerns Over Arrests and Security
Beyond the issue of access to Imran, the committee criticised the arrests of MNA Adil Bazai and other party leaders and workers. It demanded the release of individuals detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), arguing that political differences should not result in retaliatory action.
PTI also condemned reported raids and vandalism at the residences of Omar Ayub, Sher Ali Arbab and Shah Ahad. The party said targeting the homes and families of political opponents was unacceptable.
At the same time, the committee expressed concern about increasing terrorist incidents across Pakistan. It described terrorism as a serious national threat and said protecting citizens and their property was a fundamental responsibility of the state. The party added that counterterrorism measures should not be used as a means of political retaliation.
The PTI Imran Khan meeting dispute has added another development to the party’s ongoing political challenges. Gohar’s rejection of Saif’s remarks, Raja’s position on constitutional legislation and the political committee’s demands highlight several issues facing PTI leadership.
The central question remains whether party leaders will secure direct access to Imran Khan and how the party will coordinate major decisions while he remains incarcerated. For now, PTI continues to publicly insist that it is united behind its founder while demanding legal access, medical care and the release of detained party members.
