A PTI Social Media Group Working for Anti-Pakistan Agenda and Separatists, Says Fawad Chaudhry

LAHORE: Former Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry has alleged that a group operating under the banner of PTI’s social media network is working for an anti-Pakistan agenda and separatist elements, warning that the party’s online presence has become both a major asset and a serious liability.

In an interview, Fawad Chaudhry said three to four different groups were currently active within PTI’s social media network, each with its own motives and interests.

He explained that one group consisted of individuals who had allegedly faced injustices and moved abroad, where they were using social media to express their anger. The second group comprised people who had established anti-establishment, economic and business-related platforms on YouTube and were benefiting financially from them.

However, he said the third group was the most problematic, alleging that it was working for forces pursuing an anti-Pakistan agenda and separatist elements.

According to Fawad, this group also included individuals with no connection to PTI who had created profiles using Imran Khan’s photographs and the party’s name to launch campaigns against Pakistan, the armed forces and martyrs.

He said he had repeatedly raised the issue through social media posts and drawn the attention of PTI leadership, urging the party to distance itself from such elements. However, he regretted that the party had failed to take effective action.

Fawad Chaudhry said PTI leadership’s approach was contradictory in several respects. On one hand, individuals who had played a leading role in the no-confidence movement against the PTI government had been given important positions in the party’s decision-making process. On the other hand, personal campaigns were being conducted against the current establishment.

He alleged that some PTI office-bearers had also participated in such campaigns, effectively aligning themselves with the third group and damaging the party’s political narrative.

He said this irresponsible approach had weakened PTI’s political position and created difficulties for party workers inside the country.

Criticism of Imran Khan’s Party Structure

Fawad Chaudhry said PTI’s fundamental problem was that Imran Khan had sidelined people who had stood with him against the establishment in the past.

He alleged that Imran Khan had introduced the “Buzdar model” within the party by promoting individuals who had no longstanding association with PTI.

He further said the party had appointed individuals from outside its traditional leadership to important positions, including the opposition leader’s office and other key posts.

Referring to Salman Akram Raja, he said he had represented Nawaz Sharif as a lawyer in the Panama Papers case and had also played a role in matters relating to the documents presented against the former prime minister.

He also mentioned Allama Nasir Abbas, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Akhtar Mengal, saying that some of these leaders had previously been at the forefront of political activities against PTI and its government during the no-confidence movement but had now been given significant influence over the party’s decision-making.

He maintained that several members of PTI’s current top leadership had no longstanding political association with the party.

PTI Should Not Rush to Regain KP Government

Commenting on the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s opposition to military operations, Fawad Chaudhry said imposing Governor’s Rule was a major mistake by the federal government and could not be justified on the basis of the chief minister’s actions.

He advised PTI to exercise political wisdom and avoid making immediate efforts to regain control of the provincial government.

He also pointed out that the 11 individuals appointed to oversee provincial affairs following the imposition of Governor’s Rule had no significant connection with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The former minister said the government still had an opportunity to convene an All-Parties Conference and take all political parties in the province into confidence to address the prevailing situation.

Fawad Chaudhry further suggested that if PTI was genuinely serious about negotiations, it should form a committee comprising Gohar Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Bushra Bibi.

Fawad Criticises Maryam Nawaz’s Governance

Commenting on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s performance, Fawad Chaudhry strongly criticised her governance, claiming that she had badly damaged the province’s administrative system.

He said that if Maryam Nawaz’s performance were compared with that of former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, Buzdar would appear to be a better administrator.

He also referred to discussions in certain political circles suggesting that a decision regarding the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment could emerge within the next two to three weeks. However, he said the proposed amendment’s details were not yet known.

PTI’s Role Essential in Creation of New Provinces

Fawad Chaudhry said that if the government was genuinely serious about creating new provinces, Imran Khan and PTI would have to be included in the process.

He argued that any plan to create new provinces without involving Imran Khan and PTI could not succeed, as the issue had also been part of the party’s political manifesto and position.

Meeting with Former Army Chief

Fawad Chaudhry also mentioned his recent meeting with former Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at a wedding ceremony.

According to Fawad, General Bajwa remarked that the situation could improve considerably if the people concerned accepted his suggestions.