ISLAMABAD: Differences within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have intensified as senior party leaders Salman Akram Raja and Mashal Yousafzai exchanged sharp allegations and criticism.
Raja, the PTI secretary general, questioned the allegations being made during discussions about launching a political movement. He said recent developments should make it clear why such accusations were being levelled.
Raja also alleged that a coordinated campaign had been launched against him and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi since Afridi assumed office.
He further claimed that PTI founder Imran Khan had also called for Yousafzai to be removed from the party, alleging that a small group within PTI was creating unrest and would have to be dealt with.
Yousafzai hit back, questioning whom Raja was referring to as the “unrest group.” She alleged that Raja had strained relations with several people within the party.
Yousafzai also claimed that Imran Khan had reprimanded Raja following a complaint against him and had asked him to apologise. She further said Bushra Bibi had advised Raja to correct his behaviour and reminded him that he was senior to her.
Shandana Gulzar, president of the PTI, also criticized Raja on the management of money. She questioned the whereabouts of Rs500 million which he was said to have collected from America for the political prisoners and further questioned the existence of Rs400 million which according to Ali Amin Gandapur were donated.
Raja denied all the charges of corruption levelled against him and responded back calling the critics of his actions baseless.
It has now become clear that there are differences among the PTI leaders as the party was now planning for its future political strategy.
