ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is facing growing internal divisions as senior party leaders clash over whether and how to meet incarcerated chairman Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, exposing deepening rifts within the country’s largest opposition party.

The Core Dispute

✔ Pro-Meeting Faction: Demands regular access to consult on party strategy
✔ Cautious Group: Warns against “jail politics” damaging party’s public image
✔ Legal Team Concerns: Fears visits could compromise ongoing court cases

Key Figures in Conflict

  • Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Advocating for structured visits)
  • Asad Qaiser (Leading cautious approach)
  • Sher Afzal Marwat (Pushing for aggressive jail strategy)
  • Lawyers’ Group (Warning about legal repercussions)

Why This Matters for PTI

The disagreement reflects:

  1. Leadership vacuum with Khan imprisoned
  2. Strategic divide on handling party affairs
  3. Growing factionalism that could weaken opposition

Political Analysts’ Take

  • “This exposes PTI’s structural weaknesses without Khan’s direct control” — Dr. Hasan Askari
  • “Jail meetings becoming a proxy battle for party control” — Mosharraf Zaidi
  • “Could lead to formal splits if not managed carefully” — Najam Sethi

Possible Outcomes

  1. Compromise Solution: Limited, regulated visits
  2. Escalation: Formal factionalization of party
  3. Status Quo: Continued infighting weakening opposition

Broader Political Impact

The internal crisis comes as:

  • Government prepares for potential elections
  • Establishment watches PTI’s stability
  • Opposition alliance monitors weaknesses

What’s Next?

All eyes are on:

  • Next Core Committee meeting decisions
  • Establishment’s stance on jail access
  • Possible mediation attempts by senior leaders

Bottom Line

The jail meeting controversy has become the flashpoint for broader PTI power struggles, threatening to derail the party’s opposition strategy at a critical political juncture. How this internal conflict resolves may determine PTI’s viability as Pakistan’s primary opposition force.

The coming weeks will prove crucial as party leaders attempt to balance loyalty to their jailed chairman with practical political survival in an increasingly complex landscape.