In a sudden reversal, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has asked Junaid Akbar to retain his position as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), despite previously instructing him to step down. The development was confirmed by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Tuesday.
Earlier the same day, Akbar—who also serves as PTI’s provincial president in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—had announced that he had submitted his resignation to Barrister Gohar, describing the PAC chairmanship as a responsibility entrusted to him by the party.
“I will follow whatever decision the party founder makes,” Akbar stated.
However, later in the day, Barrister Gohar shared that Imran Khan had asked Akbar to continue in his current role. He referred to the matter as an internal party issue and expressed confidence that it would be resolved amicably.
Imran Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, also conveyed the change in stance. She revealed that the family had recently met Khan and passed along his message regarding Akbar to PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and senior leader Omar Ayub.
Earlier reports indicated that Imran Khan wanted Akbar to step down from the PAC position to allow him to focus more closely on party responsibilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Akbar had been elected PAC chairman without opposition in January. At the same time, he had succeeded Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur as PTI’s provincial president. Some within the party viewed this dual responsibility as too demanding and difficult to manage effectively.
Speculation had been mounting that Omar Ayub was being considered as Akbar’s replacement for the PAC chairmanship before the change in direction from Imran Khan.
