PTI’s Salman hints at initiating disciplinary action against Yousafzai

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Tuesday hinted at disciplinary action against party senator Mashal Yousafzai, saying the party could no longer hold back in the face of remarks it considered unacceptable.

Talking to reporters, Raja said anyone making allegations would have to substantiate them and warned that the party would act against those found to have crossed the line.

“Whoever has said anything will have to provide proof. The party will definitely take action on it,” he said, adding that “a lie remains a lie”.

He said he had not personally heard Yousafzai’s remarks but disclosed that he had been directed by ex-premier Imran Khan to expel her from the party.

“There is a group in the party with this woman [Mashal Yousafzai]. To avoid creating discord in the party, we held back. But now the situation is such that we will have to take some action,” he said.

He clarified, however, that any decision on her expulsion would rest with the party’s core committee and parliamentary party.

The remarks came amid apparent friction within the PTI leadership, with Raja also warning that attempts to pursue a “specific agenda” would not be tolerated.

“If anyone has a specific agenda, it will be crushed in the party,” he said.

Raja also rejected allegations that he had been involved in selling party tickets, calling the accusation by the Senator Yousafzai baseless.

“It is a complete lie. My life is an open book. Whoever has to say anything should say it to my face,” he added.

On the broader political front, Raja ruled out any alliance with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), saying there was no offer from the PPP and no political arrangement between the two parties.

“There is no alliance with PPP. We may have the same position on one issue,” he added.

He also denied knowledge of any meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and said the government had made no offer to the PTI for negotiations.

“There is no offer from the government regarding negotiations,” he said.

Raja, meanwhile, sought to portray PTI’s political mobilisation as a constitutional struggle rather than a campaign of violence.

“Entire Pakistan is being called upon,” he said, adding that “nations bring revolutions”.

Referring to recent protests, he claimed that Lahore witnessed its biggest protest on August 5.

Rejecting allegations of violence and terrorism against the party, he said the PTI remained committed to constitutional and legal means.

“We talk about the constitution and law even on the streets. We cannot be part of any violent activity,” he added.

On differences with Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Raja said the matter had been resolved after the two sides sat together and clarified their positions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026