Imran Khan Directs PTI’s Junaid Akbar to Resign as PAC Chairman Amid Party Reshuffle

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan has reportedly directed senior party leader Junaid Akbar to resign from his position as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), according to party sources cited by Dawn. The directive, communicated through Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, is part of a broader strategy to refocus Akbar on party responsibilities amid an evolving political landscape and internal restructuring efforts within PTI.

The PAC, a key parliamentary body responsible for overseeing government spending and ensuring financial accountability, is one of the most powerful committees in Pakistan’s National Assembly. Akbar, a three-time Member of the National Assembly from Malakand, was elected unopposed as PAC chairman on January 24, 2025, following a consensus between the opposition and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). His appointment came after PTI initially nominated other candidates, including Sher Afzal Marwat and Sheikh Waqas Akram, but settled on Akbar after internal deliberations.

Sources indicate that Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail, aims to streamline PTI’s organizational structure, with Akbar tasked to play a pivotal role in mobilizing the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chapter, where he serves as provincial president. On February 25, 2025, Khan had previously instructed party members holding government roles to relinquish their party positions to allow Akbar a free hand in reorganizing the KP chapter, a move aimed at strengthening PTI’s grassroots presence. There are also unconfirmed reports that Omar Ayub, PTI’s nominee for prime minister and a prominent party leader, is being considered as a potential replacement for Akbar as PAC chairman, though no official decision has been announced.

Junaid Akbar, responding to the reports, told journalists that he had not received any formal communication regarding his resignation through the same channels used for his appointment. “I was appointed by the party leadership, and I have not been officially informed of any instruction to resign,” he stated, maintaining his commitment to his current role. Meanwhile, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja declined to comment on the matter, stating that the party would issue a formal statement if necessary.

The development comes amid PTI’s ongoing internal challenges, including reported rifts and resignations in 2024. Akbar himself resigned from the party’s core committee in June 2024, citing restricted access to Imran Khan and dissatisfaction with certain party leaders’ decision-making. Despite these tensions, he reaffirmed his loyalty to PTI, stating, “PTI is my home, and I am not part of any group.” His recent appointments as KP president and PAC chairman reflect Khan’s continued trust in his leadership.

Posts on X have amplified the news, with some users speculating that Khan’s directive signals a strategic shift to bolster PTI’s anti-government movement in KP, while others view it as a move to consolidate key parliamentary roles under senior leaders like Omar Ayub. The lack of official confirmation has fueled debates about the party’s internal dynamics and Khan’s influence from behind bars.

As PTI navigates these changes, the PAC’s role in ensuring financial transparency remains critical, especially amid ongoing economic challenges and political negotiations with the PML-N-led coalition. Whether Akbar steps down or retains his position, Khan’s directive underscores the party’s focus on aligning its leadership with its broader political objectives.