Pakistan face India in must-win World Cup clash

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja has acknowledged that the party is facing internal differences and grouping, saying that the lack of contact with party founder Imran Khan for the past nine months has made decision-making much more difficult. In a post on X, Salman Akram Raja said that, for the first time in the party’s history, there has been no contact with Imran Khan for nine months. He said that issues and disputes that were previously resolved within minutes through the party founder’s guidance now become the subject of long discussions. His remarks suggest that the absence of the jailed PTI founder has created a leadership gap, allowing disagreements within the party to become more visible. Raja also admitted that PTI had faced what he described as a “planned campaign” to weaken the party during this period. According to him, efforts were made from within the party to create problems, but senior leaders remained united and resisted those attempts. “I am grateful to Imran Khan’s senior colleagues who stood firm against these failed attempts,” he said. The PTI secretary general also claimed that another challenge comes from social media, where he said three different groups are active against the party’s interests. According to Raja, the first group consists of people who are formally linked to the media teams of PTI’s political opponents. The second group, he said, includes people within PTI who are seeking party positions and view certain leaders as obstacles to their ambitions. His statement is being seen as a rare public acknowledgment that internal rivalries and competition for positions exist within the party. Raja said the third group includes sincere PTI supporters who genuinely want Imran Khan’s release and the party’s success. He described them as passionate young people and older supporters who may not be fully aware of all developments. He argued that while emotional slogans are easy to raise, developing and following an effective political strategy requires patience, understanding and careful planning. Referring to calls for immediate action, Raja said that a political revolution cannot be achieved simply by gathering “one truck and 20,000 to 30,000 people.” He stressed that successful movements require well-thought-out strategies rather than emotional decisions. He added that every PTI worker wants Imran Khan to be released as soon as possible, but said the party must adopt practical and successful methods instead of relying on slogans alone. Raja’s comments come at a time when PTI has faced repeated speculation about internal divisions, disagreements over strategy and criticism exchanged on social media by supporters of different leaders. While he blamed external forces for trying to weaken the party, his remarks also indicate that internal competition, differences over leadership and disagreements about political strategy have become significant challenges for PTI during the prolonged absence of direct communication with its founder. His statement is likely to fuel further debate about unity within the party as it continues to navigate political and organisational challenges.

Lahore: A shocking alleged sexual assault inside Lahore’s Ghaziabad Police Station has triggered the suspension of the entire station staff, including the Station House Officer (SHO), as authorities investigate the incident. According to police officials, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Imran allegedly brought a young woman to the police station on the pretext of questioning her. A sentry on gate duty reportedly asked about the woman, and the ASI claimed she was a suspect being taken in for investigation. He then allegedly took her into an investigation room, where the assault is said to have occurred. Police said the officer later dropped the woman back home. Her family had gone to the police station to report her missing but were informed during the process that she had already returned. Following the allegations, the accused ASI was arrested, while the investigation in-charge was also suspended. The incident prompted the suspension of all 78 personnel posted at Ghaziabad Police Station, including the SHO. DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said that although different police units operate within a station, the SHO is ultimately responsible for maintaining discipline and oversight. He added that all activities taking place inside the station should fall under the SHO’s knowledge and supervision. Police also confirmed that the alleged victim is mentally vulnerable, and an investigation into the case is underway.