Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has claimed the existence of two separate groups within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleging they wanted party founder Imran Khan to stay in jail so that they could “take over the party”.

 

Appearing on a private news channel, the PM’s aide claimed that the groups, led by Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and wife Bushra Bibi, wanted the incarcerated premier to stay in jail forever. “They [Aleema and Bushra groups] want Khan to remain in jail. In fact, they want him to stay there forever because after that, they could take over the entire party.”

 

He went on to say that the general public deserved to know this.

 

When asked about Aleema’s alleged leaked chats criticising Bushra and suggesting to ban her from visiting Khan in jail, Sanaullah said that the ongoing talks between the government and PTI had left some people within the party worried.

 

“Some people in the PTI are worried and want talks between the government and the PTI to not be successful. These are the same people who are spokespersons of Khan outside [Adiala Jail],” he said and went on to claim that according to the leaked chats, they wanted Khan to stay in the same situation.

 

“In fact, they want Khan to be in a much worse situation,” he added.

 

To a question about the authenticity of the leaked chats, Sanaullah said that the government also only saw the alleged chats on social media. “[Then] I got them verified from my sources,” he added.

 

“If Aleema Khan says these screenshots are fake then she should come out and defend herself. I would be glad if she could prove her innocence. Because it is extremely unfortunate that, even though he [Imran Khan] is our opponent, his close relatives and allies are betraying him.”

 

When asked about his recent press conference and newfound sympathy for the jailed former premier, Sanaullah said he wanted the public to know that these were the kind of people surrounding Imran Khan.

 

“I know the cult won’t believe me but a common person must know that this is the kind of party that ruled over the country for nearly three years,” he said.