Junaid Akbar Resigns from Imran Khan’s Party Amid Internal Conflicts

Islamabad, Pakistan – June 29: Junaid Akbar, a member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), resigned on Saturday, citing internal conflicts within the party. Akbar accused certain leaders of restricting access to imprisoned party founder Imran Khan. He stated, ‘Their interests lie with each other, and we are told the party policy aligns with Imran Khan’s views. The beneficiaries of decisions are these people, their families, and friends.’

Despite his resignation, Akbar affirmed his loyalty to PTI, saying, ‘PTI is my home, and I am not part of any group nor will I be.’ His resignation follows that of Omar Ayub, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, who stepped down as PTI secretary general. This indicates further changes in the party’s organizational structure.

Following Ayub’s resignation, sources indicated that 27 PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmakers were considering resigning from the National Assembly in protest against the party’s top leadership. It was revealed that 21 lawmakers hinted at forming a forward bloc due to the leadership’s failure to secure the release of Imran Khan from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. They also conveyed a message to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary-General Omar Ayub, urging them to make serious efforts for the release of incarcerated leaders.

The disgruntled MNAs complained that some leaders were eyeing higher posts instead of focusing on securing the release of the PTI founder and other jailed party leaders. The PTI lawmakers had ‘unanimously’ passed a resolution on Saturday for not accepting Ayub’s resignation, expressing ‘complete trust’ in his leadership. Discussions on appointing a new secretary general, potentially from Punjab, with Sheikh Waqas Akram from Jhang being a probable candidate, are ongoing.