By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Salman Akram Raja, Secretary General of opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said on Monday he would resign from the party position, pointing to an event he did not specify, as internal rifts deepen within the party founded by jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In a post on X, Raja said he would formally ask Khan on Tuesday to accept his resignation, without elaborating on the event prompting his decision. “An incident has occurred today that now demands a decisive decision from me. My life is an open book. None of my actions contradicts any principle. I do not accept compromise on intellectual and economic integrity,” he wrote. “Tomorrow I will resign from my position by requesting Khan sahib. My legal services will remain available without compensation.”
Raja, a prominent lawyer known for championing human rights and constitutional supremacy, said he had already requested Khan last week to step down as secretary general to focus on legal work, but Khan had not accepted. “I am grateful to the PTI founder for the trust reposed in me,” Raja said.
“My entire legal and intellectual life has been governed by the principles that are part of my nature: human dignity, which is the basis of democracy, resistance against social and state oppression of women and minorities, economic justice and the supremacy of law and Constitution.”
Raja, renowned for high-profile legal cases, said he entered politics on Khan’s instructions during PTI’s turbulent period to support the struggle for constitutional supremacy, law, and democracy. “I am proud that I got the opportunity to contribute to the achievement of this goal with my body, mind and money.”
The decision comes amid growing discord within PTI, with Khan, currently imprisoned, having banned public discussion of internal disputes. Raja’s move follows reported tensions with Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, over PTI’s participation in upcoming by-elections. Sources said Aleema opposed contesting the polls, arguing it defied Khan’s instructions, while Raja conveyed the political committee’s stance, with 13 members in favor and nine against. The disagreement reportedly left Raja disheartened, prompting his exit.
Raja previously faced party criticism after the failed November 2024 protest in Islamabad. He was censured for not mobilising supporters from Lahore to join Khyber Pakhtunkhwa workers heading to D-Chowk, a key protest site. Raja had then offered to resign, submitting a letter to interim chairman Barrister Ali Gohar, who said Khan would decide its acceptance. Raja was asked to continue his duties pending a decision.
Dawn reported that Raja was demoralised by the influence of Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who allegedly insulted party leaders in Peshawar meetings before the November protest. Raja also faced backlash for a video message offering “excuses” for not leaving Lahore during the protest. In April, Raja clashed with Gohar over access to Khan, further exposing party tensions.
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