The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is facing internal discord over attending the in-camera national security briefing.

PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram confirmed the party’s participation, while PTI’s provincial president Junaid Akbar has refused to attend.

Sources say the opposition has decided to attend the Parliament’s National Security Committee meeting. PTI lawmakers held discussions in the opposition lobby regarding participation, with most members favouring attendance.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar strongly supported attending the session, but Junaid Akbar insisted that a final decision would be made after consulting the party’s founder.

Waqas Akram’s press conference

During a press conference in Peshawar, Waqas Akram was asked whether PTI’s provincial government and the party would support a counterterrorism operation if launched.

He responded, “PTI’s stance is clear. No operation will be supported without public endorsement. If circumstances demand an operation due to worsening security conditions, it should first be debated in the House, where all provincial stakeholders are present.”

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He further emphasised that operations with public backing yield better results. He also referenced the Swat operation, stating that it was debated in Parliament and secured public support before implementation.

Political committee meeting called

To finalise its stance, PTI has called an emergency meeting of its political committee today.

Barrister Gohar stated, “Pakistan is facing serious terrorism threats. We will present this issue before the political committee and make a final decision regarding our participation in the National Security Committee meeting.”

He further noted that PTI is taking the security briefing seriously, and a decision on attendance will be made after internal consultations. The committee will also determine who will represent PTI in the meeting if the party decides to participate.

When asked about a meeting with the party’s founder, Barrister Gohar clarified, “We have not demanded a meeting with him today, but our previous request remains unchanged. Despite restrictions on meeting him, key party decisions have been made.”

PTI aims for ‘opposition alliance before Eid’

PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram stated that negotiations with Maulana Fazlur Rehman had been settled, with only a meeting with the party’s founder pending. “We want an opposition alliance to be finalised before Eid, followed by protests immediately after,” he said.

Waqas Akram also raised concerns over the arrest of Haider Saeed, stating that he is not part of PTI’s social media team but is still a Pakistani citizen.

“If he has committed a crime, legal proceedings should be followed instead of abduction. He has not been presented in any court or police station yet,” he alleged.

He further claimed that several PTI social media workers have been detained without being presented in court, and their accounts have been blocked.

“We know the law is being misused,” he said.

Meanwhile, Waqas Akram assured that Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s concerns had been addressed. “We are committed to resolving any remaining issues,” he said.