ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has issued a show-cause notice to party leader and Member of National Assembly Sher Afzal Marwat after public criticism of Secretary General Salman Akram Raja.
A notice issued by PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi on Sunday said that the action was taken on the direct instructions of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan.
Marwat is accused of violating party policy by making “negative and derogatory comments” about Raja and negatively commenting on ongoing talks with the government.
The notice said Marwat’s actions ignored Khan’s clear instructions and harmed the party.
As a member of both the National Assembly and PTI’s core committee, Marwat is fully aware of the party’s policies, including the prohibition against making public comments against party officials, the notice said.
It further accuses him of past misconduct and criticizes his “failure to consider the consequences of his comments”.
“You have, among others, made derogatory remarks against the PTI Secretary General and even made negative comments on the ongoing negotiations. This is a clear violation of the party policy and instructions issued by the founder chairman Imran Khan.
Marwat has been given seven days to respond and explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. During this period he has been advised against appearing in the media or representing the party publicly.
In response to the notice, Marwat has decided to stay away from the media. Marwat said that on the advice of friends, I have decided to stay away from electronic media for a week or two.
He further requested the media not to pressurize him to participate during this period, adding: “I request my media friends not to insist on my participation in programmes.”
The show-cause notice follows a public spat between Raja and Marwat, which came to light on national television last week.
Raja had questioned Marwat’s competence to discuss party matters, leading to an exchange of heated words.
In response, Marwat openly challenged Raja’s position as secretary-general, and his appointment and legitimacy under the party’s constitution. Put a question mark.
When told that the General Secretary had been appointed by “Khan Sahib” himself, the fiery politician replied: “Have you seen any notification? According to the party constitution, only a person who contested an intra-party election Yes, he can be its secretary general.”
The situation escalated when Marwat criticized Raja’s personal credentials and history as a lawyer representing figures from rival political parties, including Nawaz Sharif.
“How can he – who was Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer in the Panama case, Khawaja Asif and PML-N’s Nausheen Iftikhar against PTI candidate Asjad Malhi – taunt me?” he sneered.
In the notice, the PTI expressed dismay at Marwat’s repeated actions, which it claims have damaged the party. “It is sad to see that you have spoken without thinking about the consequences of the party and have harmed it on more than one occasion,” the notice said.
The internal rift highlights underlying tensions within the PTI, with public exchanges between the two senior leaders highlighting differences over party leadership and policy.
The party has emphasized that maintaining discipline and adhering to the chain of command is crucial, especially during sensitive negotiations with the government.