Internal Rifts Deepen Within PTI as Aleema Khan and Senator Mashaal Yousafzai Trade Accusations
**Islamabad:** Internal differences within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have intensified, with the party founder Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and PTI Senator Mashaal Yousafzai openly questioning each other’s roles and intentions.
The exchange of statements between Aleema Khan and Mashaal Yousafzai has drawn attention within political circles. Speaking to the media, Aleema Khan criticized Mashaal Yousafzai, saying she did not believe the senator was acting in the best interests of PTI founder Imran Khan.
In response, Senator Mashaal Yousafzai rejected the remarks, describing the statement attributed to Aleema Khan as “AI-generated.” She said that Aleema Khan deserved respect as Imran Khan’s sister but added that a video circulating on social media in which Aleema Khan allegedly criticized her appeared to be artificially generated.
Mashaal Yousafzai stated that Imran Khan had previously instructed family members to refrain from making media appearances or issuing political statements. She claimed that Imran Khan himself had announced before journalists that only his sister Noreen Niazi would speak to the media.
The senator further said that similar statements had surfaced in the past and, upon being informed, Imran Khan had clarified that they were AI-generated videos. She added that he had also advised against giving such statements to the media.
Referring to events following her arrest on October 4, Mashaal Yousafzai said that screenshots allegedly leaked from a mobile phone, mentioning her name and claiming that instructions were given to block her entry into Adiala Jail, were also declared fake after Imran Khan inquired about them.
She maintained that, in light of this background, she believes the latest statement is also fake or AI-generated and said responding to it would be a waste of time. Mashaal Yousafzai emphasized that the focus should remain on Imran Khan’s health and allowing doctors from Shaukat Khanum Hospital access to him. She added that once she is allowed to meet the PTI founder, she would place all matters before him directly.
It is worth noting that Aleema Khan, while speaking to the media near Adiala Jail, had alleged that Mashaal Yousafzai makes false statements on television under certain instructions and claimed she was not sincere toward Imran Khan. Aleema Khan also alleged that Mashaal Yousafzai and Sher Afzal had been assigned the task of targeting her, quoting remarks she said Imran Khan had made during his detention.
The public exchange has highlighted growing internal tensions within PTI at a time when the party is already facing significant political and organizational challenges.
