Category: 1. Pakistan

• “Junaid Akbar should stop whining and stay at home”: Saif.
• Govt spox blames Akbar for failing to fulfill responsibilities. 
• Akbar declines to respond to Barrister Saif’s comments.

PESHAWAR: Tensions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter deepened as a war of words erupted between the party’s provincial president, Junaid Akbar Khan, and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s spokesperson — exposing divisions within the party’s top ranks, The News reported.

The rift began when Junaid Akbar accused the provincial government of undermining him and targeting his supporters. He alleged that development schemes linked to MPAs who organised rallies in his favour were cancelled and that the chief minister was actively working against him. 

He also accused the government’s spokesperson and CM’s adviser on information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, of promoting an “establishment-driven narrative.”

In a sharp rebuttal, Barrister Saif dismissed Junaid Akbar’s complaints, saying: “Junaid Akbar should stop whining and stay at home.” He suggested Akbar should resign from his role and make way for someone “competent” to lead PTI in the province.

Speaking to this correspondent, Barrister Saif said he had met Imran Khan only on the PTI founder’s request and would respect his decision if told otherwise. He blamed Junaid Akbar for failing to fulfil the responsibilities assigned to him, claiming this was the root cause of his frustration.

“Those who work don’t complain,” Saif said. “At a time when the party is going through a difficult phase, Junaid Akbar should support the leadership instead of crying and accusing others.”

He added that if Akbar had issues with CM Gandapur, they should be resolved internally rather than through public criticism. “There’s no justification for attacking the chief minister,” he remarked.

Saif also addressed wider political developments, dismissing PML-N leader Amir Muqam’s hopes that his brother, opposition leader Ibadullah Khan, would have become the CM in the last general elections. He insisted the provincial government faced no threat, and all MPAs were united in completing their constitutional term.