PTI Parliamentary Meeting Reveals Rift Over Negotiations, Azam Swati Walks Out

ISLAMABAD:Details have emerged about a heated exchange during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) joint parliamentary party meeting, where party leaders reportedly disagreed over who had been authorised by party founder Imran Khan to negotiate with the government.

According to sources, PTI leader Azam Swati told the meeting that Imran Khan had authorised him to hold negotiations. However, party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan interrupted him, saying he had personally visited the PTI founder in jail to clarify the matter.

Gohar reportedly told the meeting that Imran Khan had denied giving Swati any authority to negotiate on his behalf. Instead, Khan had assigned the responsibility for negotiations exclusively to Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Gohar said.

Following the exchange, Swati reportedly left the meeting.

### Majority of PTI Members Favour Talks with Government

Earlier, sources said a majority of PTI parliamentary party members had expressed support for negotiations with the government during the meeting.

PTI leader Noor-ul-Haq Qadri reportedly repeated the word “negotiations” three times, prompting members to applaud his remarks.

Meanwhile, Mashal Yousafzai expressed a lack of confidence in Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the opposition leadership. She argued that Imran Khan was unwell, but Afridi had been more focused on organising a long march than pursuing negotiations.

Asad Qaiser reportedly said Imran Khan had expressed confidence in Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

Party leader Shafqat Awan also criticised Yousafzai, urging her not to accuse party members or Sohail Afridi. He questioned why party members were blaming one another instead of putting pressure on the government.

According to sources, senior PTI leaders also expressed displeasure with Yousafzai over repeatedly interrupting members while they were delivering their speeches.

### PTI Demands End to Emergency and Governor’s Rule in KP

Separately, PTI released a declaration following its joint parliamentary party meeting, strongly condemning the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The declaration described the measures as an attack on provincial autonomy and the Constitution and demanded their immediate withdrawal.

The parliamentary party called for the restoration of the provincial government under Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and expressed serious concern over raids and arrests targeting the party’s elected leadership, organisational structures and workers.

It also demanded the release of imprisoned party leaders and activists.

### Party Reaffirms Commitment to Imran Khan

The declaration reaffirmed PTI’s unwavering commitment to Imran Khan’s leadership, decisions and vision for Pakistan.

The party demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in accordance with legal requirements.

It also called for full implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives concerning Imran Khan’s medical treatment, stressing that his health and legal rights must be protected.

The meeting reiterated the party’s opposition to the emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while calling for the restoration of constitutional and democratic governance in the province.

Clarify the sources behind each claimUse consistent wording for negotiations