DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan has urged party workers to set aside personal differences and grievances and focus on the release of their leader.
“Our [PTI’s] internal divisions will only harm Pakistan,” Ms Aleema told party workers in a gathering in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday as part of her public outreach campaign.
She said the PTI’s focus should remain on the release of Imran and the struggle for “real freedom” in the country.
“Leave your differences and grievances behind,” she told workers, urging them to think beyond personal and group interests.
The PTI founder’s sister also alleged that party workers were being deliberately pitted against one another through misinformation.
She said the party’s objectives extended beyond its internal affairs and included the independence of the media and judiciary.
Ms Aleema called on workers to remain united and pursue the “struggle for Pakistan’s real freedom”.
She arrived in Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday evening where she was received by office-bearers and workers of Insaf Students Federation.
The PTI founder’s sister stayed at the National Club Hotel before leaving for Tank as part of her outreach campaign.
Earlier, she told reporters that she would discuss the issue of Imran’s release and wouldn’t respond to questions on other political matters.
Ms Aleema said her brother had been in solitary confinement for nine months and that her entire focus was on securing his release.
He added that after visiting Lakki Marwat, she came to Dera Ismail Khan at the invitation of young party workers before proceeding to Tank.
The visit of the PTI founder’s sister highlighted differences within the local PTI leadership.
Sources said the group associated with former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur remained largely absent from the visit.
They said Mr Gandapur and his brother, Faisal Amin Gandapur, didn’t meet Ms Aleema during her stay in their hometown Dera Ismail Khan.
Local MPA Usman Bhatti, Shahid Khattak and Pakhtun Yar accompanied her during the visit.
Sources said Ms Aleema stayed at a local hotel instead of an official residence. Her reception in the city also remained relatively limited, with a modest number of workers and supporters turning up.
The absence of the Gandapur group during the visit has again drawn attention to differences within the local PTI ranks. However, Ms Aleema didn’t comment on the issue and kept her public remarks focused on her brother’s release from jail.
During her meetings in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, she urged party workers to set aside differences and concentrate on the “broader party and national objectives.”
Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2026