PTI terminates Salman Ahmad’s membership for criticising Imran’s family

Published December 19, 2024
A photo of singer Salman Ahmad. — X/sufisal
A photo of singer Salman Ahmad. — X/sufisal

The PTI has terminated the membership of musician Salman Ahmad for running a campaign against “the family of Imran Khan”, it emerged on Thursday

Ahmad had recently posted on X to criticise Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi for her political activities during the November 26 protests, sparking criticism from party supporters.

Last week, Imran, during a conversation with journalists after a court convened at the Adiala jail, had lambasted the singer for hurling baseless allegations against the former first lady, terming his X posts “foolish”.

A notification issued a day ago by the PTI Central Secretariat addressing the musician said he had “consistently sought to sow division and discontent” among the party’s members and supporters through “unwarranted and scurrilous posts” on social media.

“You are aware of those posts, including the posts against the family of Imran Khan.”

The notification said Ahmad’s basic membership was hereby terminated and he was expelled from the party with immediate effect. “You are further asked never to show any affiliation with PTI,” it continued.

The notification issued by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan added that through press releases issued by the PTI Core Committee, the party had told Ahmad to desist from posting objectionable posts and yet he had continued to defy Imran’s instructions despite “repeated warnings to the contrary”.

It added that the party had disassociated itself from his conduct and warned him about its consequences.

Ahmad had long been a supporter of the PTI, often singing songs at the party’s events. In 2022, he was appointed as the focal person for Imran on culture.

In 2016, he was briefly detained by the Islamabad police outside Imran’s Bani Gala residence while he was on his way to meet the cricketer-turned-politician.

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.