Jailed PTI Leaders Call for Unity Over Personal Ambitions
Five senior PTI leaders currently incarcerated at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail said on Saturday that “internal divisions and external pressures” were threatening the country’s sovereignty, economy and democracy, and called for putting aside personal ambitions and political grudges for the sake of Pakistan.
The PTI leaders — Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and Omar Sarfraz Cheema — made the remarks in a statement issued through their counsel, which was also shared by the party on X.
Earlier this week, the senior leaders had called on the government to revisit its approach toward the PTI and its founder, Imran Khan.
Appeal for Political Maturity
From behind bars, senior PTI figures stressed that Pakistan is currently facing severe political polarization and institutional tensions. In their message, they argued that continuing confrontational politics will only deepen the country’s instability.
They called on all political stakeholders—including government leaders, opposition parties, and state institutions—to demonstrate political maturity and prioritize national stability over party interests.
Focus on National Interests
The jailed leaders maintained that the country’s economic challenges, governance issues, and declining public trust in institutions require a collective national response. They urged political actors to move beyond personal rivalries and adopt a more cooperative approach to governance and policymaking.
According to the statement, Pakistan’s political class must recognize that prolonged conflict between parties ultimately harms the public and weakens democratic institutions.
Political Context
The appeal comes amid ongoing legal cases and detentions involving several members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf following the political turmoil that intensified after the removal of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022.
Since then, Pakistan’s political landscape has been marked by protests, arrests, and a widening divide between political factions.