A verbal altercation erupted on Thursday between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and senior party leader Sher Afzal Marwat. The conflict stemmed from a social media exchange in which Marwat responded to a recent statement by Raja, affirming his loyalty to PTI’s founder and Barrister Gohar rather than the Secretary General.
In a public statement, Marwat clarified, “You are neither my boss nor have the authority to control me. My accountability lies with the founder of PTI and Barrister Gohar.” Raja, during a news conference in Lahore, countered that Marwat should exercise self-restraint if he wishes to retain any role within the party. “We are giving him a chance, but if he doesn’t maintain discipline, we will take action,” Raja warned.
The exchange follows Marwat’s recent meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan, where he voiced concerns about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s protest strategy. Marwat also publicly criticized the KP government, accusing some ministers of prioritizing personal gain over party goals.
Despite his absence for comment, Marwat’s media coordinator, Haider Khan, asserted that statements attributed to Marwat were “fabricated” by certain media outlets.
In August, PTI revoked Marwat’s basic party membership over “gross violations of discipline,” a decision made after his dispute with a PML-N senator and other controversial actions. The PTI founder had initially canceled Marwat’s key party positions, citing “offensive and damaging statements” that jeopardized the party’s diplomatic ties. The disciplinary committee even advised Marwat to vacate his National Assembly seat, suggesting he should seek re-election if he wished to return.
However, following Marwat’s appeal to Imran Khan, he was reportedly pardoned, overturning the previous disciplinary measures. The incident has highlighted divisions within PTI over leadership authority and internal discipline.
