LONDON: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is no longer a unified political force and has split into multiple factions. Speaking to the media in London after a meeting with PML-N leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Asif said the former ruling party is now struggling to stay afloat due to internal divisions.
He claimed that a significant number of PTI representatives in national and provincial assemblies have distanced themselves from the party’s founder, becoming “symbolic allies” at best. “The PTI founder is now looking for loyalists, but the truth is, his support base within the party has shrunk drastically,” Asif added.
Khawaja Asif emphasized that no amount of apology or backtracking by the PTI founder would bring him back to power. “He must be held accountable for the damage done to the state. He’s committed serious offenses, and justice must take its course,” the defence minister stated firmly.
Addressing questions on the country’s economy, Asif turned attention to a recent surge in remittances. He revealed that overseas Pakistanis sent over $4 billion in March alone, which he described as a highly encouraging sign. “This figure reflects the continued trust and commitment of overseas Pakistanis to their homeland,” he said.
He also criticized those who previously discouraged sending remittances through official channels, claiming that such people have now been silenced by the overwhelming financial support shown by expatriates. “Those who once ridiculed these efforts have now been humbled by the reality of the numbers,” Asif remarked.
The minister further proposed holding overseas Pakistani conventions in different countries to better engage the diaspora and recognize their contributions. “We need to stay connected with overseas Pakistanis — not just financially, but politically and socially as well,” he suggested.
Asif’s remarks come at a time when Pakistan’s political environment remains tense, with upcoming elections and shifting alliances. His statement about PTI’s fragmentation hints at further political instability and the possibility of more realignments in the near future.