ISLAMABAD: Dissident PTI leader and sitting MNA Sher Afzal Marwat has openly claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) still lacks a clear plan or course of action to secure the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
Speaking during Geo News’ program Jirga, Marwat criticized the internal disarray within the party, highlighting leadership gaps, internal power struggles, and the damaging role of party-linked social media campaigns.
“A movement can only be launched if a sar phira [bullheaded] person with nothing to lose is allowed to lead — but there are many within PTI who fear such a person could succeed and make Imran’s popularity unstoppable,” Marwat remarked.
Social Media Backlash and Image Crisis
Marwat lashed out at a faction of PTI’s social media activists and YouTubers, blaming them for maligning state institutions, promoting confrontation, and inadvertently damaging the party’s global image.
He accused some influencers of profiting off fake narratives, saying:
“They’ve made lakhs of dollars by spreading lies. If this continues, the party will be left with nothing.”
This strategy, he argued, has backfired, enabling opponents like the PML-N to brand PTI as anarchic and anti-state.
Candidate Selection and Intra-Party Politics
Criticizing PTI’s internal democracy, Marwat alleged that 80% of PTI candidates were chosen based on electability, not merit, sidelining loyal grassroots workers.
He said his repeated expulsions from the party stemmed from his refusal to act as a sycophant:
“I only accepted Imran Khan as my leader and refused to blindly follow others. That wasn’t acceptable to many.”
He also denied rumors of links with the establishment, asserting that he doesn’t practice “hypocritical politics.”
Disunity in KP and Punjab’s Inaction
Marwat painted a grim picture of the PTI’s fragmentation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with infighting and no central leadership, especially after Ali Amin Gandapur’s removal as PTI’s provincial head.
“There’s no political role left for Ali Amin Gandapur,” he said, predicting minimal protest leadership from KP unless Punjab takes the lead.
He noted that MPAs and MNAs were largely hesitant to mobilize their constituencies, warning that PTI could face deeper divisions unless grievances were addressed.
Call for Reforms Within PTI
Marwat proposed forming a scrutiny committee to hear complaints and ensure inclusivity in decision-making.
He condemned the party’s inconsistency in dealing with members involved in or distancing themselves post-May 9 events:
“Some who bashed Imran Khan on TV were brought back and even given tickets, while loyalists were sidelined.”
Conclusion
Sher Afzal Marwat’s candid revelations highlight a leadership vacuum and ideological rifts within PTI at a time when the party is struggling with legal battles, public perception issues, and internal coherence. With Imran Khan still behind bars, PTI’s ability to regroup and mobilize appears increasingly uncertain — unless, as Marwat suggests, it embraces transparency, meritocracy, and unified direction.
