The PTI on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to party maverick Sher Afzal Marwat for violating the party’s code of conduct and hurting its interests through his remarks against senior party leaders and Saudi Arabia.
The development comes after PTI leader Omar Ayub announced on Thursday that Marwat was removed from the party’s core and political committees on the direction of party founder Imran Khan following the maverick’s recent statements about Saudi Arabia.
The notice, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, states that Marwat has “issued irresponsible statements that harmed the party’s reputation and interests despite being given clear instructions by the founder chairman Imran Khan not to violate party’s known and stated position”.
It further told Marwat that he “damaged relations with fellow party members and stakeholders through your actions/words.”
Marwat was ordered to explain himself in writing within three days of the notice as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
“If your reply is unsatisfactory or you do not respond, further action will be taken as per party policy and rules,” the notice reads.
On Wednesday, Marwat had lashed out at senior party figures for what he called depriving him of the coveted position of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC). He had alleged that Senate opposition leader Shibli Faraz was the one to inform Imran about the Saudi ambassador raising reservations regarding Marwat’s nomination.
He had said that he did not want the chairmanship of a committee over which the Saudi government could exert influence by making demands.
Marwat had also alleged that Ayub and Faraz had misguided Imran on all issues.
The PTI MNA, who is known for causing controversies, has previously accused both the US and Saudi Arabia of conspiring to topple the PTI government. The PTI had publicly distanced itself from his remarks while Marwat had chalked them off as his personal opinion, even as he continued to stick to them.
In February, the PTI had issued a show-cause notice to Marwat over remarks against party leader Barrister Gohar Ali Khan that had triggered a controversy within the party.
