• Lawmakers’ huddle in Islamabad pledges unity ‘under Imran’s leadership’
• Barrister Gohar says engagement with govt can only be initiated with jailed founder’s assent

ISLAMABAD: Amid intensifying political intrigue, top leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) put up a united front on Wednesday, as the federal and provincial chapters appeared before the media to rebut the prevailing impression that ‘fault lines’ had emerged within the party’s ranks.

The gathering warned against any attempt to topple the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government through constitutional means.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Salman Akram Raja, Sheikh Waqqas Akram, PTI KP President Junaid Akbar were among the leaders who spoke to the media following a meeting of the PTI parliamentary party.

“Today’s parliamentary meeting reaffirmed our collective resolve and sent a clear message of unity and strength to our supporters and opponents alike,” Barrister Gohar said.

He maintained that there were no internal rifts within the party.

“We are one team, committed to the vision of Imran Khan and the democratic mandate given by the people,” he said.

Saying that the party had reviewed a recent letter from a number of detained leaders, suggesting talks with the current government, Barrister Gohar said that any engagement would be initiated after clear instructions from Imran Khan. “We reject the unconstitutional and politically motivated actions that led to the snatching of our seats, the filing of baseless references against our MNAs, and the denial of meetings on crucial budget discussions in KP, Sindh, Punjab, and at the federal level,” he said, referring to the recent verdict in the reserved seats case.

These actions, he claimed, reflected a targeted attempt to silence the PTI. “Let it be known — we will not retreat, come what may. We will defend the KP government at all costs. Anyone attempting a no-confidence motion should first secure the numbers,” he declared.

The party founder’s orders would determine their future course of action, including any protest movement, he said, adding that the rank and file was “fully prepared and will act without delay when directed”.

Speaking on the occasion, KP CM Gandapur reiterated that the party remained unshakably united under the leadership of Imran Khan, adding that the meeting of the party leadership was a powerful display of consensus and solidarity, sending a clear message to those attempting to create rifts within their ranks.

“Let me state unequivocally: anyone thinking of toppling the KP government through constitutional manoeuvring is living in a fool’s paradise. I challenge such individuals — if you succeed, I will quit politics,” he challenged.

He emphasised that the government in KP held a full and legitimate constitutional mandate from the people, and no amount of political engineering or coercive tactics can alter that reality — except through unconstitutional means.

CM Gandapur reiterated: “The authority of this government belongs solely to PTI founder. Whenever he decides, the government can be dissolved. But let me remind everyone — you cannot overthrow us constitutionally.”

Speaking on the occasion, Junaid Akbar affirmed that all party leaders from both the National Assembly and KP Assembly were present in Wednesday’s meeting, demonstrating unity.

“While internal differences may exist, we are firmly united in our loyalty to Imran Khan,” he stated.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2025