PTI tribunal ‘punishes’ party stalwarts

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

LAHORE: The controversial tribunal set up to investigate rigging in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s intra-party polls has ordered expulsion of senior leaders Jehangir Tareen and Nadir Khan Leghari from the party.

Headed by Sindh High Court retired chief justice Wajihuddin Ahmed the tribunal alleged on Monday that both Tareen and Leghari had manipulated the intra-party polls held months before the 2013 general election, say media reports.

It also banned their re-entry into party folds.

The tribunal also cancelled basic membership of Pervaiz Khattak, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, and ex-Lahore party chief Aleem Khan and barred them from attaining any party office.

Issuing show-cause notices to Arif Alvi, Saifullah Niazi and Qasim Suri, it summoned them for June 29 for probing their role in the rigging and irregularities in the intra-party polls.

A PTI spokesman said as party chairman Imran Khan had dissolved the tribunal all its decision were illegal and unconstitutional.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2015

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Abdul

Jun 16, 2015 08:53am

Which party had done this in Pakistan history? Its a start of new era by PTI.

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Raju

Jun 16, 2015 09:04am

PTI becomes a joke. No one takes them seriously. They aren't a democratic party anymore

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Larkanavi

Jun 16, 2015 09:11am

PTI must set its own house in order before it can aspire to bring order to the whole country. It is a sad state of affairs in a party that still has the potential to rid the country of corruption and bad governance.

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Babar

Jun 16, 2015 09:12am

well done Justice sahib. Clean this party from corrupt and opportunist so that the party is restore to its original status. You have the blessing of founder members.

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M M Amin

Jun 16, 2015 09:12am

The episode shows how I. K runs the party. Justice. R Waji needs to reconsider his stay in. PTI . In the process Mr IK has also defined his version of Democracy . Mr IK no one shall take you seriously.

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M Jamal

Jun 16, 2015 09:13am

Justice Rtd Mr Wajihuddin Ahmed is an honourable man whose life has passed in finding the truth and making judgement on merit.Imran Khan and PTI must listen to him and follow his orders for betterment of the party and the culture of truth and insaf.

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Sara M

Jun 16, 2015 09:14am

could someone reason with me and explain how imran is running his party affairs differently than zardari, nawaz, altaf etc? one man one family dictating others?

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Awan

Jun 16, 2015 09:20am

Straight forward and honest people do not have any place in any political party of Pakistan. Just put Justice Wajih Uddin in PMLN for a few days and the outcome will be the same and his commission will be dissolved in a few days or months. All Political parties of Pakistan are infact dictatorships of the leaders and their friends. Shahbaz Sharif protected his murderer friend Mr Rana Sanaullah, Nawaz Sharif did the same with Khaqan Abbasi ( In Petrol crisis ) and Mr Imran Khan is protecting his friend Mr Tareen. The Political parties of Pakistan lacks maturity and any accountability.

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Abdullah

Jun 16, 2015 09:21am

PTI can neither defend its claim in front of Judicial commission nor it can stand by its false claims that its intra party polls were free of rigging.

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Mohsin Malik (USA)

Jun 16, 2015 09:21am

Justice Sahib should stop this drive as he is hitting the end of the road. If he goes into overdrive, its over the cliff scenario for him.Hurt is imminent. Plus he stands to loose his credibility to the core. Has he not been paid in full per terms of his contract? Deliberations need to stop as these are unwarranted and adding nuisance value.

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Shahid

Jun 16, 2015 09:23am

Wonder what Wajihuddin sahab is up to. Has another good but old man become demented and subsequently duped by a Noon leaguer - like what happened to Javed Hashmi? Too bad there is no retirement age in politics.

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zafar iqbal

Jun 16, 2015 09:31am

PTI should never give any kind of investigate authority to anyone, let alone a Pakistani judge!

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Mrs. Khan

Jun 16, 2015 09:37am

Hmmm..... Tareen and all are not good people. IK needs to open his eyes.

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H L

Jun 16, 2015 09:39am

PTI please follow on what you have been saying. I m PTI supporter, but its time we follow what we believe.

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sh.jamil

Jun 16, 2015 09:43am

Imran must accept the decision in good grace otherwise he will be considered a man of dictatorial mindset and his party will meet the fate of the PPP.The people of Pakistan and the country as such have a veritable vested interest in PTI as a last hope.

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abid ali

Jun 16, 2015 09:45am

I think its the time imran needs to take tough decisions. Its better for the party. Long live PTI..Long live Pakistan

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Mrs Asma Baig

Jun 16, 2015 09:45am

Retired chief justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, please keep things in the party and do not damaged it, it blood of young people, why you taking drastic action when PTI case is in JC. You have to deal as elder and as Judge and father figure.

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Azher Malik

Jun 16, 2015 09:47am

Who told Imran Khan to set up the Election Tribunal if he had no intention to implement its decision. If PTI ca n not solve this problem internally , they may request the Government to set up another Judicial Commission to take up this case of internal rigging. This will prove that PTI is the only party which believes in rule of law and will definitely make it more powerful and and also change the Pakistan.

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Insaaf

Jun 16, 2015 09:48am

How ironic is this. Polls within the party were manipulated and the culprits are still sitting on high posts, while Khan sahab is asking for justice in GE. Cleanse yourself before you want to cleanse the nation please.

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Atif Amin

Jun 16, 2015 10:02am

PTI is a bunch of greedy rich people, majority of whom belong to PPP and few from PMLN and other parties.

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kmi

Jun 16, 2015 10:07am

PTI should stop playing with the future of Pakistan.They have become a joke .Also they are always lying.

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salman

Jun 16, 2015 10:19am

Even if PTI dissolved tribunal, we need answer whether the mentioned people did rigging?. if IK cannot control rigging in intra-pol how can he talk about bigger level stoppage of rigging like in general elections. alas! only talks by IK but no real action by him.

Recommend 0

Jun 16, 2015 10:29am

@Raju: joke. you are saying it was democratic party how democratic party can be joke???

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salman

Jun 16, 2015 10:44am

It is widely said that IK dissolved the tribunal because he was told by insiders that tribunal will make just decisions and will put senior leaders in danger. So IK came under pressure and decided to dissolve tribunal. Khan, please take actions against these culprits we will stand by your side.

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Pakistani

Jun 16, 2015 10:47am

Tough decisions should be taken to cleanse the party and give a chance to the committed Insafians to head the party.

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DeeEss

Jun 16, 2015 10:47am

The same Justice Wajihuddin who was an upright and honest man until a few months ago will now be labelled as corrupt, having ulterier motives and what not PTI. In his desire to grab power, Imran Khan has allowed wheelers and dealers in his party and marginalized the ideological and honest workers. Now PTI is no different than N League or PPP as those in control in PTI are all part of the same political class that knows only one way.....and that is to cheat and corrupt.....

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Pakistani

Jun 16, 2015 10:56am

@Abdul We will surely call it a new era if IK takes action upon the findings of commision otherwise this is dictacracy .

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tariqfaruqi

Jun 16, 2015 11:03am

no doubt it's the first time in the political history of Pakistan. PTI has appeared to be a trend setter ranging from managing rallies to intra party elections. but desolving the tribunal is equally controversial and needs explaination by Mr. IK.

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Common Citizen

Jun 16, 2015 11:16am

@Abdul Sorry but no party.. as PTI has dissolved this tribunal so now they cannot claim over it. PTI is surely becoming a joke now.

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shah G

Jun 16, 2015 11:19am

By acting in such a way Waji may be expected to be appreciated by the other parties such as PMLN, PPP, ANP, and JUI etc. but he has lost his position and respect completely in PTI. He should analyse his activities by himself to limit the damage.

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Shaukat Ali

Jun 16, 2015 11:19am

A difficult test for IK and PTI.

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tariqfaruqi

Jun 16, 2015 11:22am

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Shaukat Ali

Jun 16, 2015 11:24am

PTI rigged intra-party polls in Pakistan; PTI KPK government rigged LG polls; PTI Paris chapter rigged intra-party polls. Rigging everywhere in PTI. What an extreme incompetence. And above all, it blames others for rigging, so brave.

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Sandhu

Jun 16, 2015 11:26am

Can we expect the same in PPP, PML-N, MQM and others? Its PTI who brought this new democratic culture in Pakistan.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jun 16, 2015 11:39am

PTI be on the guard it looks plans are being hatched to sideline you. IK please use honest & cleaver diplomacy instead of hurling hot words on others.

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Khalid

Jun 16, 2015 11:51am

IK should have implemented tribunals decision long time ago. Party should be cleaned from corrupt leaders and only sincere workers should go ahead. If IK did not implement Tribunal's decision, it would be disaster and suicide for PTI. IK must listen Justice Sb and Haroon Rasheed.

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Dawn admirer

Jun 16, 2015 11:55am

Yes, this is a very healthy trend in polical history of Pakistan.If IK is sincere, without prejudice & if he wants to work for Pakistan only, he should take seriously take note of the Tribunal's findings. Otherwise, PTI will be like just another party.Why i have an impression that in PTI only IK is sincere & except him all others are there for the sake of their own interest.

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Irfan

Jun 16, 2015 12:06pm

There is something wrong with this party. The leadership should focus on inter party problems more rather than the issues with other party. Yes I do agree that PTI has become a joke these days.

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ziqbal

Jun 16, 2015 12:07pm

This is very 'wrong'. Who will raise funds if such rich people are expelled from party.

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Dr Khan

Jun 16, 2015 12:11pm

At least it shows that PTI has some democracy within the party.In PPP ,MQM and PML N only one one decides the party affairs.

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Asim Munir

Jun 16, 2015 12:15pm

We must congratulate PTI first for holding intra-party elections and ordering a commission for intra-party election rigging. Now comes the point where Imran has to decide whether party matters the most or the personalities. Taking strict action against the personalities mentioned by Justice Wajih, Imran Khan can win the trust of public and emerge as a great leader or just prove another Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari. Mr. Khan, you're making the same mistakes that many other leaders made in the past. A recent example is that of Musharraf's. You must realize the key fact that the personalities you're trying to save aren't your power. If you don't believe me just commit the mistake and see the results in upcoming elections. Look at Tayyap Erdogan that despite his splendid services of Turkey, how he lost simple majority in Turkish parliament just because of mishandling of corruption done by his couple of ministers. Wake up now or I can't stop you from day dreaming.

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KMI

Jun 16, 2015 12:19pm

Slap on PTI Face. Face and accept the truth PTI.

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qamberali

Jun 16, 2015 12:22pm

han jee khan saab, what now of your naya Pakistan project

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Sabeeh Ahmad

Jun 16, 2015 12:27pm

I am a PTI supporter, but feels that IK is not following true democratic norms. If a tribunal was set up to probe rigging and other misconducts he should accept that with open mind. We vote for him because of his principles and not for faces. IK should accept the verdict and should not be afraid of taking bold steps.

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Mir Sohail Bangulzai

Jun 16, 2015 12:28pm

@Sara m, no difference at all. it would be folly to be over optimistic on Imran's PTI and his cause for Pakistan.

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Tariq Amir

Jun 16, 2015 12:34pm

This person used word "shame" for others day and night. Nobody was spared. Now I think we are justified after your dharnas, rigged elections in KP, the so called evidence provided by you in election commission, and your over all performance, in saying that "Shame on you Imran".

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Jamhoor

Jun 16, 2015 12:40pm

Elections were rigged. Now, we know which elections Imran Khan was talking about.

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a ali

Jun 16, 2015 12:44pm

@Raju .............. o yeah we know pmln and ppp / anp / juif / mqm are very democratic... they hold elections every year in their party ? ever heard about their inter-party elections ????????????????????? selection indeed is done not election.

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DisparateAamer

Jun 16, 2015 12:45pm

Many people here are asking Khan to punish the culprit. KHAN IS THE CULPRIT! Wake up kiddos!

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Asim Munir

Jun 16, 2015 12:51pm

@Mrs Asma Baig We need more people like Justice Wajih to make PTI a stronger party. Only a clean party can have deep roots in public. Putting the garbage of the party under cover will make it rotten. Did not Imran Khan promise to the nation that he will always speak truth? And now he is under pressure of Jahangir Tareen because of using his plane.

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responsible

Jun 16, 2015 12:52pm

I think Mr. Khan has to introduce the prominent faces in politics irrespective of the results of elections, his party should not rely on the people who are involved in any activity or related to other political party.

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Jun 16, 2015 12:52pm

This is a change in right direction. IK can't do it without the support of these rich, thats our culture that he can't change alone. But he need to remind them time and again that they are also answerable and not to be taken as granted. Wajih's report is enough for signalling them. I hope they learn this way.

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Abdul Rehman

Jun 16, 2015 01:08pm

Tribunal's decision seems to be a move for personnel dominancy.Decision reflect that wajeehuddin wants to control party in his own way rather to work collectively.

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Tariq Amir

Jun 16, 2015 01:15pm

@DisparateAamer Don't worry they will wake up sooner or later. Actually the process of waking up is faster than my best of expectations.

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azmat

Jun 16, 2015 01:23pm

He should have sent a notice to Imran Khan as well and should pass an order to appoint himself as the new party chairman. Justice Wajih is going overboard now with these extravagant notices

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Sane

Jun 16, 2015 01:25pm

@Abdul which party has invited all and sundry as electables in their ranks...?

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Ajr

Jun 16, 2015 01:46pm

Purging party who go against the ideals of the party is of utmost importance. Great job, Mr Justice R. Wajih

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Tariq Amir

Jun 16, 2015 01:49pm

We fully deserve this comic relief after the tense period of dharnas. Good job, keep it up KHAN.

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Azmeen

Jun 16, 2015 02:02pm

A big test for PTI MERIT SLOGAL for selling to the public.

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sense

Jun 16, 2015 02:10pm

A PTI spokesman said as party chairman Imran Khan had dissolved the tribunal all its decision were illegal and unconstitutional. ALL THIS MATTERS RTD: JUSTICE BYE BYE

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Syed Ganga Din

Jun 16, 2015 02:17pm

Rigging is an unfortunate reality in Pakistan and PTI is no different, so why pretend?

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Zak

Jun 16, 2015 02:35pm

@Raju silly, they are attaining a clean functional party and going through the delivery pains. Others, no elections but wadera, Chaudhry selection system. Appreciate PTI

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Amena K

Jun 16, 2015 02:59pm

@Abdul. If this tribunal was accepted by Imran Khan then that would be amazing and a true new era in Pakistani politics but alas "A PTI spokesman said as party chairman Imran Khan had dissolved the tribunal all its decision were illegal and unconstitutional."

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Muhammad

Jun 16, 2015 03:27pm

PTI is doing its job, that is to damage country. It did by stopping Chinese President's for eight month and other investment. It is again on the same course.

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Imran AB

Jun 16, 2015 03:47pm

Let us wait and see what does Imran Khan the Chairman of PTI has to say about this decision / order ???

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Saeed

Jun 16, 2015 03:55pm

Justice Wajih done his job. Now it is responsibility of core PTI lovers to clean their party from opportunist like the three Justice Wajih mentioned. Now it is also test of IK that he would go with corrupt allies or with genuine pti workers.

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Safdar

Jun 16, 2015 04:31pm

@Raju on the contrary, I think we are not taking the decision of the tribunal seriously. Its obvious what their intent is. They were inta party polls. Have u ever seen what happens in ppps intra party polls when they had it?

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Lakhkar Khan

Jun 16, 2015 08:22pm

@ H L , And what do you believe? Rig any election as much you can?

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