October 30, 2025 Tensions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have boiled over, with Secretary General Salman Akram Raja accusing Punjab President Aaliya Hamza of manipulating leadership nominations amid fears of Imran Khan’s preferences. Raja’s public outcry on X alleges emergency changes to favor certain factions, while Hamza denies interference, labeling the claims as misinformation. This infighting highlights deepening factionalism in PTI’s Punjab chapter, exacerbated by Khan’s imprisonment and external pressures.
سویٹ بوائے گنڈاپور اور مروت گینگ + لاہوری گروپ نے باز نہیں آنا چڑیا گھر کی نوکری سے اور جی ایچ کیو گیٹ نمبر 7 کے ٹاوٹس کی پروموشن سے۔ کمنٹس میں عوام اوقات یاد کروا رہی ہے ان کو مگر ڈھیٹ ہوچکے ہیں یہ لوگ۔ pic.twitter.com/SNoHXonJ2K
— Adil Raja (@soldierspeaks) October 29, 2025
Raja demanded clarification on who misled him into issuing a false statement, hinting at blackmail and internal sabotage. Reports indicate Raja and Hamza are at loggerheads over organizational roles, with Raja criticizing low protest turnouts and unconstitutional trials against Khan. Hamza, appointed Punjab president in January 2025, faced removal rumors in May, which PTI denied, underscoring ongoing power struggles.
The rift stems from broader PTI dynamics, where Khan’s directives from Adiala Jail are contested. Raja, a key figure in protests for Khan’s release, has clashed with Hamza over strategy, with some attributing the discord to military influence infiltrating the party. PTI’s leadership includes figures like Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, but Punjab’s internal battles threaten unity. Analysts point to similar past shifts, such as Junaid Akbar replacing Ali Amin Gandapur as KP president, as signs of Khan’s centralized control amid arrests.
This controversy could weaken PTI’s opposition stance against the government, especially post-26th Amendment reservations voiced by Raja. As PTI navigates legal hurdles and military scrutiny, resolving such rifts is crucial for mobilizing supporters. Raja’s calls for accountability reflect grassroots demands, but prolonged division risks alienating the base.
