PTI Faces Internal Rift Over Salman Akram Raja’s Statement on Barrister Gohar

*Islamabad:* Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is witnessing internal differences following a statement made by **Secretary General Salman Akram Raja** regarding **Barrister Gohar**, sparking criticism within the party’s WhatsApp groups.

Sources revealed that party members accused Salman Akram Raja of **creating divisions within PTI**, noting that the new political committee lacks adequate **representation from senior senators**. They expressed dissatisfaction over replacing Ali Zafar with **Senator Fouzia Arshad**, and declared that they **reject the new political committee**.

According to insiders, senators highlighted that **founding chairman Imran Khan appointed Barrister Gohar as chairman**, and Salman Akram Raja should not have publicly commented on the matter. Members also claimed **senior party leaders are being sidelined**, and directives from Barrister Gohar instruct them to remain silent. It was noted that Salman Akram Raja **did not retweet Imran Khan’s tweets** or respond to the DG ISPR’s press conference, leaving other leaders like Suhail Afridi, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Shafi Jan, and Mishal Yousafzai to respond on his behalf.

In response, Salman Akram Raja tweeted that **personal and group differences exist in every party**. He emphasized that his responsibility, entrusted by Imran Khan, requires **discretion** and that he cannot respond to personal attacks by exposing internal conspiracies, though he stressed the need to **thwart conspirators**.

Regarding the inclusion of Senator Fouzia Arshad in the Islamabad Parliamentary Board for local bodies, he said it was intended to **bring a senior figure into the committee**, noting her long-standing association with the party and her candidacy for the Senate from Islamabad on Imran Khan’s recommendation. He clarified that **limiting the political committee was not his decision** and that he **consulted senior members before forming the new committee**, including only key office bearers.

Salman Akram Raja stated that **no decision was made for personal or group interests** and denied leading any faction within the party, accusing some members of **attempting to create internal conflicts since the day of his appointment**.

This internal dispute highlights ongoing **tensions and factionalism within PTI** as the party navigates leadership and committee structures.