Reports on PTI divisions denied as details emerge about Naqvi-Gohar-Afridi meeting

ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan has rejected reports that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers in the provincial assembly have formed a bloc against Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, while separate reporting has suggested that a recent meeting involving Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and the KP chief minister included discussion on access to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan and efforts to ease political tensions.

In a statement posted on X, Jan described reports that around 50 PTI MPAs had grouped against Afridi as false and said the party’s provincial lawmakers remained aligned behind the chief minister. He also dismissed claims that any such split could affect passage of the upcoming provincial budget.

According to Jan, Afridi’s recent meeting with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was related to the death of cleric Maulana Muhammad Idrees and the broader law and order situation, not an attempt to seek political support for the budget. He said propaganda had been directed at the chief minister since he assumed office and maintained that Afridi continued to enjoy the confidence of PTI founder Imran Khan, whose decision within the party remained final.

Jan said KP was the only province in the country where democratic values were being promoted and added that the chief minister had brought opposition parties together in the public interest. He also said Afridi was regularly holding meetings on major development schemes and that, despite limited resources, the provincial government had made significant progress in development, law and order and matters of public welfare.

He urged those spreading what he called fake news to wait for the budget, saying it would pass smoothly and support development in the province.

"false, fabricated, and baseless,"

Jan used those words for the reports about a group being formed against the chief minister. He also said those seeking to create divisions among PTI lawmakers had failed.

Claims about May 14 meeting

Separately, informed sources cited in a report said a May 14 meeting at Barrister Gohar’s residence in Islamabad went beyond terrorism and security issues. The residence had previously been used for sensitive high-level contacts and was regarded as a trusted channel for informal communication between PTI and relevant authorities.

Those sources said that while the worsening security situation and terrorism concerns were discussed, political matters also featured prominently. They said the conversation included issues concerning Imran Khan, particularly improving access for his family members and party leaders to meet him in jail, as well as medical access and other humanitarian concerns.

One source familiar with the talks said the setting and participants suggested the discussion was not solely about security matters.

"Had the discussion been purely security-oriented, the venue and participants would likely have been different,"

The same report said the engagement was being viewed by insiders as part of an ongoing backchannel process aimed at lowering political tensions and creating room for broader understanding among stakeholders. According to the sources, PTI representatives conveyed concern that continued restrictions on meetings with the jailed former prime minister could worsen the political climate.

The sources also said the authorities’ concerns and red lines were discussed, particularly reservations attributed to the establishment regarding PTI’s political conduct. They rejected the impression that any participant had been compelled to attend.

"Neither Mohsin Naqvi was forced into these talks nor were Barrister Gohar and the KP chief minister pressured. The purpose was simply to build understanding and improve the environment,"

According to the same account, the wider aim was to examine ways to address concerns on both sides, including those linked to Imran Khan, his family and PTI’s leadership, in order to reduce confrontation. The sources further said Aleema Khanum’s social media statement had harmed those backchannel efforts and affected a possible plan under consideration to allow Imran Khan’s sisters to meet him.

"It has seriously jeopardised the under consideration possibility of allowing sisters meeting with Imran,"