PTI rejects rift claims as over 25 lawmakers skip KP parliamentary party meeting

Peshawar: Signs of internal differences within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged on Sunday after more than 25 lawmakers remained absent from a parliamentary party meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.

The meeting was chaired by Sohail Afridi and attended by 75 lawmakers out of the party’s 92-member parliamentary group in the provincial assembly.

According to party sources, several lawmakers, including Ali Amin Gandapur, Fazal Elahi and Nek Muhammad, did not attend the meeting. Most of the absent members reportedly cited foreign travel or prior commitments as reasons for their absence.

Sources said some lawmakers were dissatisfied after being excluded from the provincial cabinet, fueling speculation about internal discontent within the party.

Addressing participants, Afridi dismissed reports of divisions and said the turnout demonstrated unity within PTI despite what he described as ongoing propaganda against the party.

“I welcome all members who attended today’s meeting. No one can break us, nor can anyone force us to retreat from Imran Khan’s ideology,” he said.

The chief minister said opponents had attempted to create rifts within the party but failed to weaken its ranks. He added that the meeting focused on the health of PTI founder Imran Khan and discussions on the upcoming provincial budget.

Afridi expressed concern over Khan’s health and claimed party leaders were not being allowed to meet him. He called for the former prime minister to receive medical treatment from doctors and at a hospital of his choice in the presence of his family.

The chief minister also accused the federal government of withholding the province’s rights, alleging that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was owed more than Rs4.5 trillion. He said the provincial government was engaging with other political parties to secure its financial and constitutional rights.

He further stated that the next provincial budget would be people-friendly and aligned with Khan’s vision for development.

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan rejected reports of any forward bloc within the party or the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

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Speaking to Geo News, Gohar said differences of opinion were natural in a democratic party but insisted that all members remained united under the leadership of the PTI founder. He maintained that all absent members were either abroad or unable to attend due to other commitments.

Gohar also said Afridi enjoyed Khan’s full confidence and support, adding that all provincial assembly members remained committed to strengthening the PTI government in the province.

Earlier, KP Information Minister Shafi Jan also dismissed speculation about a forward bloc, warning that any lawmaker deviating from the party line would face serious political consequences.

“There is no forward bloc in PTI. Whoever moves away from the PTI founder’s line will end their political future,” he said.