The Chief Minister has gone further, directly accusing Ms. Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, of conspiring against him
By Shamim Shahid
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandhapur, fresh from a successful power show in Peshawar, has moved swiftly to assert his authority—forcing two members of his cabinet to resign while also siding with one of his confidants from Buner by suspending a controversial notification on party office bearers.
The sudden ouster of the two provincial ministers—both from Swabi district—has triggered a storm of speculation. The Chief Minister has gone further, directly accusing Ms. Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, of conspiring against him. Gandhapur, however, claims that in his latest meeting at Adiala Jail, Imran Khan expressed satisfaction with his performance and gave him a free hand in reshuffling the cabinet.
So far, the two ministers and their influential families have remained tight-lipped. Yet their abrupt removal, coupled with Gandhapur’s extraordinary allegation against Aleema Khan, has raised serious questions about internal fault lines within PTI.
Both dismissed ministers hail from powerful political families. The outgoing education minister is the younger brother of MNA Shahram Khan Tarakai and son of Senator Liaqat Tarakai, while the ex-irrigation minister is the younger brother of PTI stalwart and former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.
Circles close to the Chief Minister insist the sackings were performance-related, but the ousted ministers reject this, claiming they had no real authority as their portfolios were micromanaged by the Chief Minister’s office. Observers also point out that Swabi’s disappointing turnout at the September 27 Peshawar rally may have been another factor.
The same rally, intended to apply pressure for Imran Khan’s release, also saw PTI workers openly criticize party leaders, chanting slogans and even waving shoes—a visible sign of discontent at the grassroots.
On the same day, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan revoked his earlier decision on district-level party appointments in Buner, a move widely interpreted as influenced by Gandhapur. The withdrawal favored a close ally of the Chief Minister, indicating Gandhapur’s growing control over party affairs in the province.
The sequence of events paints a picture of calculated maneuvering. Within 24 hours of his jail meeting with Imran Khan, Gandhapur summoned both ministers and secured their resignations—described by insiders as being “with honor,” though the identical wording of their resignation letters only fueled speculation of coercion.
The Tarakai family’s loyalty to PTI has long been questioned. Shahram Tarakai entered politics under the banner of Awami Jamhoori Ittehad before merging into PTI. Both he and his cousin Atif Khan had previously been expelled from ministerial posts by former CM Pervez Khattak over alleged dissent. Their uneasy relationship with PTI leadership continues under Gandhapur.
By contrast, the Qaiser family has remained steadfast in PTI ranks since 2013. The removal of Asad Qaiser’s younger brother from the cabinet is therefore being read as a strong signal that even loyalty offers no protection in the current power struggle.
These internal fissures, combined with Gandhapur’s public allegation against Aleema Khan, highlight deep divisions within PTI’s ranks at a time when unity is critical. While Imran Khan’s incarceration remains the party’s rallying point, the energy appears increasingly consumed by internal rivalries and factionalism.
No one can deny that the charges against Imran Khan are political in nature and ultimately demand political solutions. Yet, instead of focusing on reconciliation with political contemporaries and state institutions, PTI leadership seems trapped in internal battles. This not only weakens the party’s bargaining position but also adds to political instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province already strained by governance challenges.
If PTI truly wishes to secure Imran Khan’s release and stabilize its position, its leaders—including Barrister Gohar, Gandhapur, and others—must prioritize unity and political engagement over infighting. The people of Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, cannot afford prolonged hostilities and political paralysis any longer.
