PTI lawmakers question opposition leaders over Imran Khan’s release

Several lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have reportedly expressed concerns over the performance of opposition leaders Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, accusing them of failing to make meaningful progress toward securing the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.

According to sources, the concerns were raised during a recent PTI parliamentary party meeting where members also proposed rejoining parliamentary standing committees. However, the suggestion was reportedly opposed by opposition leaders Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas.

Sources said Achakzai informed the meeting that the decision to withdraw from standing committees was not his personal choice but was taken on the instructions of Imran Khan. However, several PTI lawmakers argued that the party founder had previously directed the parliamentary party to make its own decisions regarding committee participation.

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Achakzai reportedly maintained that if PTI were to return to parliamentary committees, it should do so from a stronger “bargaining position.” Despite this, some lawmakers voiced dissatisfaction, claiming the opposition leadership was not doing enough to advance efforts for Imran Khan’s release.

According to insiders, party members particularly criticised the handling of discussions around the issue, alleging that Achakzai often shifted the focus toward constitutional and legal approaches whenever concerns over Imran Khan’s imprisonment were raised.

Last year, Imran Khan nominated Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, while Raja Nasir Abbas was chosen as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

Meanwhile, an Anti-Terrorism Court recently dismissed a petition seeking permission to meet Imran Khan in Adiala Jail in connection with the May 9 GHQ attack case. The court termed the plea “unnecessary and frivolous” and imposed a fine of Rs10,000 on the petitioner.