Growing Internal Divide Exposed in PTI’s Anti-Government Campaign

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s newly launched anti-government movement, aimed at securing the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has exposed growing divisions within its leadership that threaten the party’s unity. Set to peak on August 5, 2025, the campaign faces internal disagreements over strategy and timing, which could weaken its impact. This article examines PTI’s internal challenges and what they mean for Pakistan’s political scene.

The PTI, led by Imran Khan from Adiala Jail, began its “Free Imran Khan Movement” in Lahore on July 13, 2025, following stalled talks with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government concerning the May 9 riots and November 2024 protests. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur announced a 90-day “do-or-die” campaign, stating, “This movement will decide our future.” However, his timeline caused confusion because the party had originally planned to focus on August 5, marking the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment. PTI leader Aliya Hamza questioned the change, asking, “Where did the 90-day plan come from compared to the call for August 5?” This highlighted the lack of a clear, unified strategy.

The internal conflict deepened when key Punjab leaders did not attend the Lahore press conference. Additionally, five Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) were expelled for supporting the 26th Constitutional Amendment, defying party orders. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called this a “brazen act of betrayal,” signaling a purge of dissenting voices. Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari criticized Gandapur’s leadership, challenging him to compare governance records. She said, “We will show him how hospitals like Nawaz Sharif Hospital are built in a year.” The government, through Adviser Rana Sanaullah, dismissed the protests as an attempt to destabilize the country and warned of legal consequences if unrest escalates.

The PTI’s divided campaign, combined with declining public support in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stronghold due to issues like poor infrastructure and unemployment, as shown in a recent Gallup survey, risks alienating its base. With the August 5 deadline approaching, PTI must resolve internal differences to present a credible challenge. Otherwise, its efforts to secure Khan’s release may weaken amid internal turmoil and government opposition.