LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers raised questions about the role of National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai during a joint parliamentary party meeting, sources said on Wednesday.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, lasted more than seven hours and reportedly witnessed heated exchanges over internal party differences, negotiations with the government and preparations for a long march.
According to sources, some PTI lawmakers criticised Achakzai’s stance on issues concerning the party’s founder, Imran Khan, while praising Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
The lawmakers reportedly questioned what they described as a difference between Achakzai’s principled stance on matters concerning Imran Khan and his response when his own son was arrested during a protest in Kharian several months ago.
According to the sources, PTI members claimed that Achakzai had approached Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the Sharif family to secure his son’s release and had remained in Lahore until his son was freed.
The lawmakers reportedly argued that Achakzai adopted a different approach when it came to Imran Khan’s situation, including his access to medical treatment, meetings and release.
The criticism came amid broader discussions about the party’s political strategy and its engagement with the government.
Meanwhile, the meeting also turned tense, with several lawmakers leaving the committee room amid heated exchanges, sources told ARY News.
Read More: PTI parliamentary party meeting turns tense as lawmakers walk out after heated exchanges
Sources said Faisal Amin Khan, brother of former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, left the meeting in anger and forcefully shut the committee room door as he walked out.
PTI MNA Khawaja Sheraz also left the room. When other participants called out to him, he reportedly said he would return after answering a phone call.
PTI lawmakers Ali Muhammad Khan and Shehryar Afridi also left the meeting. Responding to a journalist’s question, Ali Muhammad Khan said he would return after taking a phone call, while Afridi said he was going to offer prayers.
