ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic blow to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), two high-profile members – former opposition leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub and ex-opposition leader in Senate Shibli Faraz– resigned from the party’s Political Committee on Wednesday, citing escalating legal and political pressures.
Ayub, in a no-holds-barred statement posted on X, announced his resignation, explaining that mounting legal and political commitments left him with no choice but to step down.
He further proposed that the committee be restricted to sitting officeholders, effectively distancing him from any future involvement.
Despite his exit, Ayub made it clear that his loyalty to PTI’s imprisoned founding chairman, remaining steadfast, leaving no doubt about where his allegiance lies.
Faraz, mirroring Ayub’s defiant move, also tendered his resignation, stressing that the committee should only include active officeholders.
He unequivocally stated that his continued participation in the Political Committee was simply untenable, following earlier reservations he had kept to himself.
The resignations have sent shockwaves through PTI as the party grapples with deepening fractures amid mounting legal entanglements and internal strife.
Party insiders confirmed that Ayub and Faraz submitted their resignation letters to PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja, both recommending the committee be reshaped to include only those holding current office.
In an attempt to regain control and project a united front, PTI swiftly moved to appoint new members to the Political Committee.
Zulfi Bukhari, currently based in the UK in self-imposed exile, and Intizar Panjotha, the chief organiser of PTI’s Insaf Lawyers’ wing, were swiftly inducted into the committee in an effort to stabilise the party’s fractured leadership.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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