ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan has indicated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is contemplating stepping back from legislative assemblies due to what he described as a “diminishing political environment” for the opposition party.
During the interveiw the KP minister pointed out that prominent political figures, including PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, are actively campaigning across Gilgit-Baltistan without restrictions. In contrast, he claimed PTI leaders face significant constraints, with some even prevented from participating in election activities for the upcoming June 7 polls.
Shafi Jan noted that PTI leaders Junaid Akbar, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, and Shahid Khattak have been barred from campaigning in the region. He further explained that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had issued a statement hinting at the party’s possible withdrawal from legislative bodies in light of the expulsion of PTI leaders from Gilgit-Baltistan.
When questioned about the party’s future strategy regarding resignations, the minister stated:
“This is only the initial phase. A detailed discussion among the political committee is scheduled soon. Our aim is to sustain the current system, but there is little room for us within this environment.”
Last week, senior PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser had also warned that the party was “seriously contemplating” leaving the current political system. He emphasized the need for a new Charter of Democracy to address the ongoing issues.
Qaiser further stated that PTI had alternative options if their political rights continued to be suppressed, including mass resignations and dissolving the PTI-majority KP Assembly. When asked whether PTI leaders might resign en masse or dissolve the assembly, he responded:
“There are multiple ways to exit the system, but no final decision has been reached. If the current circumstances persist, we may have no choice but to withdraw altogether.”
