Another rift has emerged within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), this time in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chapter of the party after a war of words between provincial president Junaid Akbar Khan and government spokesperson Barrister Saif.

 

The rift began when Junaid Akbar Khan strongly criticised Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur, alleging that the provincial government was not cooperating with him.

 

“Chief Minister Ali Amin is taking action against my supporters, and development schemes of MPAs organising rallies for me have been cancelled,” he claimed. 

 

Akbar also alleged that Barrister Saif is not just representing the narrative of the establishment but also spreading it. 

 

Speaking to journalists in Mardan, Saif pounced back at the party's president, saying, “Junaid Akbar should stop whining and stay at home," adding that Akbar should resign from the party presidency and a competent person should be made president of PTI Pakhtunkhwa.

 

Barrister Saif said that Akbar was not fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him by PTI founder Imran Khan, which was why he was under stress, noting that “those who work do not need to resort to making accusations”. 

 

He emphasised the party was going through a difficult time and, in such circumstances, Akbar should step aside instead of crying and complaining. “Everything has a limit and these people have crossed all limits,” he stated.

 

Saif advised Akbar to sit down and resolve his issues with Ali Amin Gandapur within the party, adding, there was no justification for criticising the Chief Minister. 

 

The government spokesperson also lashed out at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Amir Muqam, saying that if he thought his brother could become the chief minister, it was wishful thinking.

 

He ruled out claims that the KP government was under threat, underscoring that all Member Provincial Assembly (MPAs) were united, and the government would complete its constitutional term.

 

Commenting on last week’s Swat tragedy, which claimed at least 10 lives, Saif said that a probe into the incident is underway, stressing that whoever was found responsible would be punished.