Salman Akram Raja has announced his resignation as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General.
He made the announcement on his official X account, saying he will relinquish his position tomorrow (Tuesday) after informing PTI founder chairman Imran Khan of the decision.
Raja is expected to meet the former prime minister tomorrow in Adiala Jail. A PTI leader seeking anonymity told WE Punjab that Khan will not accept the resignation.
Considered as one of the leading lawyers of Pakistan, Raja has been serving as PTI Sec General since September 7, 2024. He is also heading PTI legal affairs section.
Raja is vocal advocate of supremacy of democracy in Pakistan. But some within the PTI accuse him of being compromised. Others disagree.. They claim he has developed differences with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur who largely controls PTI’s affairs. They claim accuse Gandapur works for the country’s powerful military establishment.
Salaman Akran Raja X Post:
Explaining his position in a long thread on X , Salman Akram Raja said his life is like an open book. He said he is not traditional politician and neither a mill owner or feudal lord. “My family stands by my side. We endured all kinds of attacks from within and outside the PTI.” He further said: “I have no regrets for it [vile attacks] as I happily set aside a flourishing legal career and face economic uncertainty.” He added that he regarded himself as a custodian of constitutional and democratic vision of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan. “I dedicated myself to protecting and promoting Imran Khan’s vision.” For this, he added, he has been implicated in 20 false cases. “I do not fear jail,” he held.
Raja said he submitted his (resignation) request to Khan last Tuesday through Ali Bukhari Advocate. “I told Khan that I want to focus on PTI’s legal matters only.” Yet, he added, Khan has not accepted his resignation then.
But, he added, “today’s incident compels me to take a decision.” However, Raja announced the resignation without elaborating the “incident”.
Why Raja Resigned?
Geo reported he developed differences with Aleema Khan, Imran’s sister, on issue of participation in by-polls. As Aleema is in favour of boycott, Raja believed the party must go for elections, according to TV report. But contrary to Geo’s claim, people on X claimed that the differences emerged between him and some members of the PTI core committee team under Gandapur’s influence. They said “Gandapur gang” wanted PTI’s participation in by-polls against Imran Khan’s desire. Reports say Imran Khan has barred his party leaders from contesting the by-polls.
PTI Political Committee meeting held today and it voiced in majority in favour of by-polls’ participation, Geo claimed.
By-polls will be be held on nine national and provincial assemblies seats. Election Commission of Pakistan said by-polls will be held in Wazirabad (NA-66), Lahore (NA-129), and Mianwali (PP-87) constituencies on Sept 18. And in Sahiwal (NA-143 and PP-203), Dera Ghazi Khan (NA-185), Faisalabad (NA-96, NA-104 and PP-98) on Oct 5. The seats fell vacant after disqualification of PTI leaders following verdicts in May 9 cases.
