In yet another controversy, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) maverick leader Sher Afzal Marwat blamed overseas PTI protestors’ targeting of state institutions for the predicaments of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“We have been subjected to unsurmountable oppression – what is the reason behind it? This punishment being given to us is due to the inexcusable actions of PTI’s digital media followers,” remarked Marwat on ABN News.
“If they protest within limits and do not hurl abuses at Pakistan’s state institutions. We have never given them permission to abuse our state institutions using PTI’s platform. Believe me, even this Iddat case that was made up against Khan – that case was a direct consequence of those overseas digital adventurists. They named and hurled abuses at Pakistan Army Generals, and made up fake scandals of actresses, which is why we suffered,” revealed Sher Afzal Marwat.
Marwat, known for being outspoken, often faces challenges from within his party. In May 2024, Marwat was kicked out of PTI’s core and political committees on the direction of party founder Imran Khan following his remarks about Saudi Arabia. Marwat, in an interview, alleged that the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia was behind Khan’s ouster from power.
Then, in August this year, PTI official page on X, formerly Twitter, announced the cancellation of the basic party membership of maverick leader Sher Afzal Marwat for a “gross violation/ breach” of discipline.
Yet confusion spread quickly when PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan termed the notification “fake.”
“The notification regarding the cancellation of Sher Afzal Marwat’s membership is fake. It’s not possible,” stated Gohar, clearly signalling rifts within the party leadership over Marwat’s future.
In the notification, it was said that Marwat was on notice and was asked to “restrict himself, and his statements to within the limitation as outlined in the letter. A committee was set up to monitor his statements, media appearances and tweets.”
Furthermore, the last controversy took place when Marwat was called out by PTI’s Salman Akram Raja when he said, “Sher Afzal Marwat must control himself; we are giving him a chance if he wants to play a role in the party if he does not show discipline, we will take action.”
It all started when Sher Afzal Marwat while talking to Matiullah Jan, stated that he did not vote for the Hamid Khan group in the recent Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) elections. “I did not want to vote for Hamid Khan’s candidates in the SCBA, neither did I want to vote for the other group’s candidates, so I did not vote,” said Marwat.
Matiullah Jan, with a surprising reaction, asked Marwat whether his action put PTI at a disadvantage.
He replied: “How did I put PTI at a disadvantage? Hamid Khan passes some statements or other arguments against me. He should be thankful that I did not campaign against his candidates; otherwise, I could have had 30-40 votes. Nobody came to me to ask for any votes.”
In a deleted post on X, Marwat wrote: “I am very saddened by the statement issued by Mr Salman Akram Raja adv against me. I was willing to work with you, but neither you are my boss nor do you have any authority to control me. Please bear in mind for all times I am only answerable to Khan sb and Chairman Barrister Gohar. Nobody else matters. Thank you.”