Marwat says he is 'deeply saddened' after Imran expells him from PTI

Firebrand leader Sher Afzal Marwat has released a response hours after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan expelled him from the party.

Marwat took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday (today) to state that he always remained loyal to Imran Khan and will stand by his principals. “I am deeply saddened by the recent decision, which seems influenced by individuals who have never accepted me within the party,” he said.

Marwat stated that he would  explain his position on Thursday night, noting, “I trust that PTI workers, who have fought for justice alongside me, will continue to stand for what is right.”

“PTI must uphold its core values of democracy, transparency, and justice. True loyalty is not about blind obedience but about ensuring that our movement stays on the right path. Khan Sahib is, and will always remain, my leader. My struggle is not for personal gain but for the integrity of PTI and the vision we all share,” he wrote.

Marwat’s expulsion notification, which was posted on PTI's official X account on Wednesday night, read, “Further to the Show Cause Notice issued to Mr Sher Afzal Marwat and his subsequent reply, the party has considered his reply and also his actions subject to the Show Cause notice.”

“Taking both these aspects into consideration and on the instructions of Founding Chairman Imran Khan, Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat is being expelled from the party with immediate effect.”

Marwat’s termination came just three days after the former ruling party staged a rally in Swabi against what it believes was the rigged election in 2024.

A media report claims that the PTI leaders complained to Imran Khan about Marwat's behaviour at the February 8 Swabi public gathering. 

During his speech, Marwat cryptically said that “bad people” always became helpful during "bad times", but some “good people in good times” have zipped their lips.

Last month, PTI issued a show-cause notice to the lawmaker for violation of the party discipline for his remarks against the party's Secretary General Salman Akram Raja at a private news channel.

The maverick leader challenged Raja's position in the party, saying that according to the party constitution, Raja cannot become the party's secretary general. “Only the elected person who has contested an intra-party election is eligible for the position of party secretary-general,” he explained.

 
He went on to say that Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and Firdous Shamim Naqvi are public officeholders. “Salman Akram Raja is a stranger [to the party],” he added.

Marwat’s scathing attack on Raja follows when the PTI Secretary General, while speaking on the private media outlet, had downplayed Marwat’s claims, which he recently linked to party founder Imran Khan, saying, “Only two or four party members are deemed capable of having the right to speak about the party.

“Marwat statement has nothing to do with the party's official narrative. His [Marwat] statements are unimportant,” Raja said.