The friction between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders is starting to grow after the party on Saturday formally asked a member and submit an explanation and tender an unconditional apology for comments against a senior party leader.
On Saturday, PTI Chief Organiser Omar Ayub Khan issued a show cause notice to the party member and a returned candidate from NA-41 Lakki Marwat, Sher Afzal Marwat.
The notice read that Marwat had allegedly violated party policy by issuing a statement against Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.
The statement, the party said, "caused significant distress that cannot be tolerated."
The party gave Marwat two days to submit an explanation for his statement and to tender an unconditional apology.
"If your reply is unsatisfactory or you do not respond, further action will be taken as per party policy and rules," the party warned.
Barrister Gohar came to prominence in December 2023 when he was elected unopposed as the party's new chairman in an intra-party election after party founder Imran Khan was no longer eligible to retain that position following his conviction in the Toshakhana case.
The intra-party election was voided by the Supreme Court in January, a decision which came with the added penalty of the party losing its electoral symbol in the elections. However, Barrister Gohar retains the defacto position of interim party chief even if Imran Khan continues to call the shots from his cell in Adiala Jail.
It is expected that in the upcoming intra-party elections of the party, Barrister Gohar will be relected as the party's chairman.