ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday dismissed reports of internal divisions, reaffirming its unity with jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and accusing the government of intensifying political victimisation of its leaders and supporters.
In a statement issued after a meeting of its political committee, the party maintained that its leadership, elected representatives and workers remained steadfast in their commitment to “Khan’s ideology and political agenda”.
The committee termed the detention of the KP chief minister, provincial assembly speaker and other parliamentarians illegal and an assault on democracy, demanding their immediate release.
It also called for the release of PTI leaders and workers detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) since the imposition of Governor’s Rule.
PTI also expressed serious concern over reports that Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, had been secretly shifted to hospital without their family being informed of their medical condition.
It demanded that the Supreme Court’s order for Khan’s treatment at a private hospital in the presence of his family be implemented, while also calling for Bushra Bibi to be allowed to meet her relatives.
The committee further condemned the arrest and alleged mistreatment of Khan’s three sisters, demanding their release and access to their brother in prison.
It also denounced the arrests of MNA Adil Bazai and other PTI leaders and workers, along with raids and alleged vandalism at the residences of former opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, Sher Ali Arbab and other party lawmakers.
The committee said the “targeting of party leaders, their homes and families was intended to intimidate the opposition”, accusing the authorities of using state machinery to settle political scores and undermine the opposition.
It demanded an end to what it described “state-sponsored harassment”, maintaining that political differences could not justify violations of constitutional rights.
The committee also expressed concern over rising militant violence, warning that it posed a threat to national stability.
It called for effective counterterrorism measures but cautioned “against using security operations as a pretext to target political opponents”.
On the economic front, PTI called for an investigation into what it described as an alarming disparity in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices.
The party claimed that LPG was being procured at around Rs238 per kilogram but sold to consumers for as much as Rs700, demanding action against those responsible for the alleged profiteering.
It also called for reduction in petroleum and electricity prices, relief from what it termed excessive power bills and urgent measures to bring down the cost of essential commodities.
Reaffirming its allegiance to Khan, the committee vowed to press ahead with its political struggle, declaring that “arrests, intimidation and restrictions” would not force the party to abandon its objectives.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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