Karachi (Tassawar News): The political landscape of Karachi has recently been marked by a significant escalation of internal acrimony within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s divisional chapter. This burgeoning rift has advanced from latent disagreement to open confrontation, culminating in the issuance of an official letter by the PTI Karachi president and general secretary to the Mayor of Karachi. This communication explicitly sought the summary termination of the party membership of several dissenting elected officials, thereby formalising the schism within the metropolitan unit.
In an immediate and robust counter-response, Asad Aman, who functions as the parliamentary leader of the identified dissident group, issued a forceful public statement that directly challenged the authority of the local party hierarchy. Aman firmly delineated the boundaries of the dissenters’ mandate, declaring that their resignations—the ultimate concession sought by the mainstream leadership—would only be tendered under two stringent conditions: the unconditional release of PTI founder Imran Khan from incarceration and a personal directive from the former Prime Minister himself instructing their step-down. This stance immediately reframed the dispute from a purely administrative matter into a complex question of personal loyalty versus delegated organisational authority.
“A formal communication was dispatched to the Mayor by the PTI’s Karachi president and general secretary earlier today. What remains profoundly unfortunate is the spectacle of tenants now attempting to assume the operational prerogatives of landlords,” Mr. Aman asserted, employing a telling metaphor to deprecate the legitimacy and administrative authority of the incumbent Karachi leadership’s actions.
The dissident leader further articulated the core tenet of their political obedience, maintaining that the prerogative to either solicit or accept the resignations of elected officials rests exclusively with Imran Khan. This contention effectively nullifies any corresponding authority claimed by the local party structure, establishing a direct, unmediated link between the dissident group and the party’s central ideological figure.
To clarify the definitive conditions for their exit from office, Aman stated: “Our formal resignations will be unequivocally submitted only when the founder of PTI, Imran Khan, transmits an explicit message from his place of detention, instructing the thirty-two members of our group to step down—and under no circumstances prior to that eventuality.”
Scrutiny of Administrative Competence and Internal Disarray
Asad Aman extended his indictment beyond the scope of their immediate dismissals, levelling accusations of administrative disarray and profound organisational incompetence against the current Karachi leadership. He pointed to what he described as glaring, self-evident administrative errors within their recent official notifications, leveraging these purported missteps to question their fitness to govern the local chapter.
“Their current state of confusion is such that, even within their purported official notification, the designation of one chairman was mistakenly reiterated twice,” he alleged, using this example as symptomatic evidence of systemic operational deficiency.
Furthermore, the dissident leader robustly rejected all allegations suggesting that his faction had ceased its constructive contributions to Karachi’s civic development. He insisted that the group remains fully engaged in efforts aimed at the amelioration of the city and the betterment of its populace. This claim sets up a stark juxtaposition between the mainstream leadership, accused of factionalism, and the dissidents, who claim to be focused solely on public service.
In a direct challenge to the competence of their detractors, Aman demanded: “If your appointed chairmen have demonstrably achieved a more substantial contribution to the city’s progress than we have, then this evidence must be forthwith presented. The political penalty you now face is concurrently ours as well—however, we maintain that we are, at the very least, actively serving the populace instead of being consumed by self-enrichment endeavours.”
Procedural Integrity and Political Transparency
Aman also brought into question the transparency and procedural integrity governing key internal party decisions, specifically raising concerns regarding the selection process for women nominated to reserved seats in the aftermath of the politically turbulent events of May 9th. This line of questioning focuses on the lack of due process and consultation.
“Following the unfortunate incident of May 9th, our group maintained a necessary distance from public engagement. Crucially, we did not append our signatures to any documentation concerning the selection of women designated for reserved seats. Therefore, a vital question remains: how were these appointments ratified and effectuated in the demonstrable absence of our required endorsements?” he queried, highlighting a perceived breach of internal protocol.
Moreover, he offered a crucial political clarification by definitively stating that his group did not cast their votes in favour of Murtaza Wahab during the recent mayoral elections. This disclosure was intended to unequivocally distance the dissident faction from persistent accusations of political compromise or collusion with rival political entities, reaffirming their ideological independence within the PTI framework.
Commitment to the Metropolitan Welfare
The dissident PTI faction, as articulated by Asad Aman, remains resolutely committed to its mandate of uninterrupted public service to Karachi and contributing vigorously to the metropolitan area’s necessary reconstruction and overall progress, notwithstanding the significant internal turbulence. He emphasised that the faction’s actions are principally guided by an unshakeable allegiance to Imran Khan and an overriding dedication to the fundamental principles of public service, rather than being motivated by petty factional politics or the pursuit of ephemeral personal gains.
Concluding his extensive statement, Aman affirmed the group’s steadfastness: “We have consistently stood in unwavering solidarity with the founder of PTI. Our loyalty is fundamentally not amenable to compromise or acquisition, and consequently, our dedication to the service of Karachi will proceed without cessation.”
Conclusion
The escalating rift within the PTI Karachi division, as evidenced by the formal expulsion request and Asad Aman’s defiant counter-declaration, illuminates the structural vulnerabilities inherent in a political party heavily reliant on the singular figure of its founder. The core conflict is not merely one of local administrative control but represents a deeper tension between institutional hierarchy and the cult of personality. Aman’s refusal to resign without a direct mandate from Imran Khan effectively delegitimises the decision-making capacity of the mainstream provincial leadership, thereby ensuring the continuation of the internal dispute. Should this factionalism persist, it threatens to severely impede the PTI’s effectiveness as an opposition force in Karachi, diverting valuable energy and resources away from meaningful civic engagement and service delivery, ultimately undermining the party’s broader political objectives in one of Pakistan’s most electorally crucial urban centres.
