Salman Akram Raja retracts resignation as PTI Secretary-General

Salman Akram Raja has retracted his resignation as the secretary-general of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), following the party’s directive. PTI Information Secretary Waqas Akram confirmed the news, stating that the party did not accept Raja’s resignation and asked him to continue in his position.

Raja had initially stepped down after facing criticism from some party members for not joining a protest in Islamabad alongside PTI demonstrators. He had been expected to travel from Lahore to the capital to take part in the protest, but he failed to do so, leading to objections from within the party.

In response, Raja issued a video message addressing the concerns. He explained that the government’s strict security measures, including roadblocks and bridge closures, had made it impossible for him to reach Islamabad. He further clarified that he did not believe in participating in symbolic actions like appearing at D-Chowk for photo opportunities, stating, “It is not appropriate for me to act in such a manner. I will always be honest with you, explaining both what I am capable of doing and what I am not.”

Raja also participated in a meeting of PTI’s political committee shortly after his resignation. His decision to stay on as secretary-general follows the party’s request for him to continue in his role.

In addition to Raja’s resignation, Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), also resigned from a key position within PTI. These resignations followed the abrupt end to PTI’s protest in Islamabad, which was met with a crackdown by law enforcement, resulting in nearly 1,000 arrests early last Wednesday morning.