PTI on Monday clarified that there was no “factionalism” or “division” within the party and warned of action against any member who violates the party discipline or policy.

The warning was issued by PTI’s political committee, which deliberated on party matters and the country’s overall situation. The meeting also discussed the imprisonment of PTI founder Imran Khan and his family members, arrests of party leaders and workers, as well as issues related to its key leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a statement shared on X, the political committee clarified there “is no grouping or division in the party”.

“The entire party is united with Imran Khan’s leadership, his ideology and his mission. Putting aside political differences, all party leaders and workers will continue to struggle for common goals,” the statement read.

Deeming it “extremely essential to maintain party discipline during this difficult political situation”, the committee decided that “action will be taken under uniform principles against any individual who violates the party’s established discipline and policy”.

“The political committee emphasised that parliamentarians, the party’s parliamentary group, and other relevant stakeholders should be fully involved in the consultation process.”

Noting the importance of communication with all stakeholders, the committee affirmed that parliamentarians’ suggestions and reservations would be “given special importance”.

It also warned that “irresponsible statements” and violations of organisational discipline that deviated from PTI’s platform would not be overlooked.

“Strict compliance with the rules will be ensured in this regard so that unity, solidarity, and organisational stability within the party are maintained,” the statement asserted.

It was further decided that the party’s future strategy and upcoming course of action will be finalised at the earliest and presented before the workers and the public.

The committee reaffirmed its determination to continue its struggle for public rights, democracy and constitutional supremacy despite “ongoing political pressure”.

The political committee’s statement follows reported disagreements within PTI over its handling of current challenges, as well as rumours of a group of KP MPAs endorsing Ali Amin Gandapur as the acting provincial president in absence of Junaid Akbar.

However, PTI later clarified that Akbar remained the party’s president for KP and named Senator Noorul Haq Qadri to take over his duties in his absence.

Last week, several PTI leaders also questioned the party’s decisions and overreliance on Sohail Afridi, the KP CM whose role is non-functional after governor’s rule was imposed in his province.

Arrests and detentions

The political committee also demanded the release of Afridi, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and other MPAs who were detained when governor’s rule and emergency were imposed in the province on Oct 11.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said Afridi and Swati were placed under house arrest.

“Keeping elected public representatives in custody is an insult to democratic values and the public mandate,” the committee declared, according to the statement.

It also expressed its concern over reports regarding the transfer of Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to the hospital without “taking the family into confidence”.

“Not informing [their] families in a timely manner is contrary to fundamental human rights and legal requirements,” the statement read.

The political committee further demanded that the Supreme Court’s orders regarding Imran’s medical treatment be implemented “immediately and fully”, that his family be regularly informed about his health, and that facilities for family meetings be provided.

It also sought appropriate medical facilities and meetings with family for Bushra Bibi.

The committee went on to demand the immediate release of Imran’s three sisters — Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan — who have remained detained since late September under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO).

The committee demanded permission for them to meet and visit Imran. “Depriving the family of their basic right to inquire about their loved one’s well-being and to meet them is unacceptable,” it contended.

The committee also expressed “serious” reservations over the alleged arrests of party leaders and workers, particularly actions taken under MPO, and urged that no one be “targeted for revenge on the basis of political differences”.

The political committee also condemned alleged raids at residences of former opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, Sher Ali Arbab, Shah Ahad, and other party leaders, describing them as a “reprehensible” act.

On terrorism and economy

Discussing the country’s overall situation, PTI’s political committee termed terrorism a “national scourge, for whose eradication effective and serious measrures are unavoidable”.

“The protection of citizens’ lives and property is the state’s primary responsibility,” the statement read.

However, the committee emphasised that “actions against terrorism should not be used for political vendettas”.

“Along with establishing peace and security, the protection of the basic rights of political workers, the public, and supporters of opposing political parties must also be ensured,” it added.

When imposing governor’s rule and emergency in KP, the federal government had cited the PTI-led KP government’s “deliberate disengagement” from the fight against terrorism. Federal ministers had even accused the party of supporting terrorists, which PTI strongly denied.

Per the statement, the political committee also voiced its concern over rising inflation, prices of petroleum products, and “heavy” electricity bills.

While short-term inflation rose to 11.32 per cent year-on-year in the week ending on Oct 29, consumer inflation eased to 9.6pc in October from 10.3pc in September. Heightened petroleum prices due to tensions in the Middle East have also added to inflationary pressures.

“The political committee stated that government policies have made the life of the common man unbearable,” said the statement.

“The poor and middle classes are already unable to manage their households on limited incomes, while increases in the costs of essential food items, transportation, and energy have multiplied the public’s hardships many times over,” it added.

The committee also expressed concern over the market rate of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), noting it was being sold for up to Rs700 per kilogramme, despite the official price being Rs238 per kg.

“The relevant authorities should immediately take notice of this disparity, investigate the prices, and take action against profiteering,” the statement asserted, terming it a “grave injustice” to the public.

The political committee demanded for the public to be provided with “genuine” relief in the prices of petroleum products and electricity.

It also demanded for “hefty” electricity bills, along with the prices of essential commodities, including LPG, to be brought “within the reach of the common man”.

“It is the government’s responsibility to free the people from inflation, not to make it difficult for them even to secure two meals a day,” the statement said.