Ali was on the Aaj News programme Rubaroo on Saturday via video link where he shared one incident where Akbar’s action led to an emotional reaction from jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

“I will take you back to 2013. This was an interesting development. A meeting was held at the Bani Gala where Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Javed Hashmi, late Naeemul Haq, Fauzia Kasuri, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin, me, Shehryar Afridi, Murad Saeed, and Shafqat Mahmood were present,” he said.

“Junaid Akbar, who is an honest man and has an outspoken demeanour, was also present. He said something and Khan Sb did not like it. Khan Sb stood up and said OK I am also leaving the team,” Ali said as he chuckled while recalling the incident.

The PTI lawmaker explained that Akbar and Khan have a relationship of trust and love. “He is amongst those who fearlessly speak to Khan Sb.”

He added that the change in PTI’s provincial leadership does mean that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur did not run matters properly.

According to Ali, the PTI founder was of the view that the administrative role was a different job. He added that Akbar has served as vice president in the past.

“Let’s hope and pray he will run the party properly and Gandapur will more properly focus on the province.”

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When asked about Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s claims that there was infighting between PTI leaders, he said that it would be his “wish list”. Competition was natural in a political party, he added.

In response to a question, he shared that he did not sign the document seeking a raise in the salaries of lawmakers.

“I am from those who opposed salary increase not because it is not needed, but because it is not the right time to seek such an increase.”