ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sher Afzal Marwat has claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur sold 5,000 kanals of land to finance party affairs.
Speaking about the party’s financial matters on Hum News talk show, Pakistan Tonight, Marwat alleged that Gandapur contributed Rs85 million to Al Qadir University, paid Rs125 million in lawyers’ fees, and also covered bail sureties for arrested PTI workers.
“There is a conspiracy against Gandapur. Those who dislike me also dislike him,” he claimed.
Marwat said that groupings have existed in the party since its inception, adding that internal rifts have intensified due to power struggles and social media control. “In PTI, you have to hide behind someone to strengthen your own position,” claiming that the party’s social media was controlled by Aleema Khan.
He alleged that when he was unable to participate in PTI-led protests due to health issues, “Aleema Khan even mocked my illness.”
He also criticised recent party appointments, saying, “Salman Akram Raja was made secretary general without any qualifications, right after joining.” He claimed his opposition to dynastic politics was one of the reasons behind his expulsion from the party.
“When the PTI founder comes out, everything will become crystal clear,” Marwat said, adding that he had provided free legal services for the party leadership, handled 74 cases for the PTI founder, and conducted 90 public gatherings without taking a single rupee.
Marwat criticised the party’s handling of the PTI founder’s detention, saying, “Because of social media missteps, the PTI founder remains behind bars. There were three moments where we were very close to securing his release.”
He said in the October 8 talks, the plan was for the PTI founder to contest elections and enter the assembly within 45 days. Fresh negotiations began in December, and the current round reportedly hinges on two conditions: that the PTI founder remain silent and curb social media activity.
“If these conditions are met and no obstacles are created, he can be released within 45 days,” Marwat claimed, suggesting the founder’s current silence was linked to this arrangement.
Marwat took aim at Salman Akram Raja again, saying, “He has never been part of any political party. I don’t see him in PTI after a month and a half.”
Calling recent political moves “temporary deals”, Marwat said they were not a solution to Pakistan’s problems. “We toppled our own governments—that was a mistake,” he added.
Since the PTI founder’s imprisonment, the party has made one poor decision after another, he said. “I’ve always spoken up for women’s rights when they were violated,” he added.
Asked about his future, Marwat said, “I’ll be going abroad for a short break. Where I’m needed, they’ll call me.” He also noted that police raids and arrests against him had stopped.
“I haven’t spoken against the party. I’m just exposing those who destroyed me,” he said, concluding: “I’m not a successful politician.”