PTI’s Shaukat Yousafzai breaks down over ‘bought off’ allegations

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai broke down as he rejected allegations that he had been “bought off” for urging the party to postpone its October 4 long march towards Islamabad.

Speaking on a news talk show on Wednesday, Yousafzai said he had raised concerns as a senior party member over the security situation and the possibility of action against the PTI government.

“I was saying that I speak on principle. What do I have to fear,” he said, adding that he had expressed similar concerns during the November 26 protest.

Yousafzai said he was hurt by KP Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi’s response to a letter in which he had asked the party leadership to postpone the march in the wider national interest.

“I was not expecting that from Sohail Afridi. He is my younger brother,” Yousafzai stated, recalling that he had also defended the chief minister against allegations that he was a facilitator of terrorists.

Yousafzai said he had backed Afridi when he announced the October 4 march and had made clear that he would be among the first to participate.

The PTI leader said social media users had subsequently questioned his loyalty to the party and criticised him for raising concerns about the safety of workers.

“I am saddened by the abuse that followed on social media and by the questioning of my lifelong dedication to PTI,” he said, visibly emotional.

Yousafzai also criticised PTI social media activists, saying their conduct was damaging the party. He recalled the difficulties faced by party leaders and workers following the May 9, 2023 unrest.

The controversy followed Yousafzai’s letter to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and other leaders, urging them to immediately postpone the long march because of the security situation and increased terrorist activity.

Afridi had rejected the suggestion, saying that the October 4 march would proceed under all circumstances.

He also said he would throw Yousafzai’s letter in the dustbin if it reached him, while noting that he had not received it.

Yousafzai denied any intention of leaving PTI, saying: “There is no question of me leaving the party.”