Will PTI continue to fracture under the weight of its internal strife, or can it reimagine itself and become a unified force once more? The future of the party, and consequently of Pakistan's civilian democracy, is at stake. PTI's ability to overcome its differences or its decline into political insignificance, which would allow the military to further solidify its hold on the country's administration, will be determined in the upcoming months.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), once heralded as a movement for political reform under Imran Khan, now finds itself in a deep crisis, plagued by internal divisions and external pressures. Khan’s leadership, which was the bedrock of PTI’s appeal, has been significantly weakened due to legal challenges and political isolation. This has exposed fractures within the party, particularly between key figures such as Aleema Khan and Bushra Bibi, who are vying for control in Khan’s absence. Additionally, a major ideological divide has surfaced between PTI members who favour reconciliation with the military establishment and those who insist on maintaining Khan’s anti-establishment stance. These divisions have weakened PTI’s ability to function as a cohesive opposition, creating opportunities for other political forces, particularly the military, to tighten their grip on the country’s governance. This commentary explores the ongoing fragmentation within PTI, analyzing its implications for Pakistan’s democracy, political stability, and the future balance of power between civilian leadership and military influence.
Introduction
Imran Khan's rise to power marked a historic shift in Pakistan's political trajectory. With his promise of a “Naya Pakistan” (New Pakistan), PTI positioned itself as an alternative to the entrenched political dynasties that had long dominated governance. A movement rooted in hope, reform, and a strong anti-establishment narrative, PTI gained significant traction. However, political movements that center around a singular charismatic leader often struggle with institutional stability, and PTI is no exception. With Khan facing legal troubles and his direct involvement in politics becoming increasingly difficult, the party has begun to fragment under the weight of competing internal factions. The party is currently divided into multiple power centers. On one side, there is an ongoing power struggle between Aleema Khan and Bushra Bibi, both of whom wield significant influence over the party’s core decision-making. Simultaneously, another major fault line has emerged between those who believe PTI must engage with the establishment to survive and those who insist on standing by Khan’s confrontational approach. While some argue that engaging with the military is the only way to secure political relevance, others contend that doing so would betray the very principles on which PTI was founded. This division has not only destabilized the party internally but has also significantly altered Pakistan’s political landscape.
The Power Struggle at the Top
PTI, once a formidable force that promised a fresh political dawn, now finds itself consumed by internal discord. The power vacuum left by Imran Khan’s political isolation has given rise to a  struggle for influence and control between two key figures related to Imran Khan: Aleema Khan, his sister, and Bushra Bibi, his wife. While both claim loyalty to Khan’s vision, their contrasting approaches to managing the party have deepened internal rifts. Aleema Khan, who represents a more pragmatic approach, has sought to consolidate power by appealing to PTI’s senior leadership and advocating for a strategic recalibration of the party’s stance towards the establishment. On the other hand, Bushra Bibi, known for her spiritual influence over Khan, has been a key proponent of maintaining a hardline anti-establishment position, urging PTI loyalists to resist any political compromise. This rivalry has been exacerbated by leaked communications and public disputes, which have further tarnished PTI’s image. The power vacuum has allowed various factions to push their own agendas, each proposing different pathways for the party’s survival. As a result, PTI’s inability to present a unified front has left its supporters disillusioned and has weakened its position as a formidable opposition force.
The Divide Over Engagement with the Military
Beyond personal rivalries, PTI’s internal divisions also get manifested in an ideological split regarding its stance on the role of military in Pakistan. Throughout Khan’s tenure, PTI maintained a complicated relationship with the military establishment, oscillating between cooperation and confrontation. However, following Khan’s ousting, this relationship has soured, with Khan himself adopting a strong anti-military line. Now, with his absence from active political leadership, PTI members are deeply divided on whether to reconcile with the establishment or continue with Khan’s defiant approach.
There are PTI leaders like Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Raoof Hasan (Former Secretary Information), Ali Amin Gandapur, Shibli Faraz and Asad Qaiser (Former National Assembly Speaker) believe that political survival necessitates engagement with the military. They argue that without the establishment’s tacit approval, PTI will struggle to regain its footing in Pakistan’s highly controlled political environment. These leaders have quietly advocated for a diplomatic approach, seeking to rebuild PTI’s bridges with powerful state institutions. Conversely, as per reports coming in from Pakistan, Bushra Bibi, Shehryar Afridi and Hammad Azhar remain steadfast in their opposition to any dialogue with the establishment. They insist that PTI must uphold its anti-establishment ideology and continue to rally public support against what they see as undue military interference in civilian politics. This faction fears that any reconciliation with the military would not only compromise PTI’s political integrity but also alienate its core voter base, which has largely been mobilized through anti-establishment rhetoric.
This ideological rift has significantly weakened PTI’s ability to mount an effective political challenge. While some members push for political pragmatism, others view any engagement with the establishment as a betrayal of PTI’s founding principles. As a result, the party remains paralyzed, unable to formulate a cohesive strategy for its political future.
A Shift in the Balance of Power
As PTI grapples with its internal crises, Pakistan’s broader political landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. With PTI unable to function as a unified entity, other political players—most notably the military— have moved to consolidate their influence. The military, which has long been a dominant force in Pakistan’s governance, now finds itself in a stronger position as civilian institutions falter. This is not merely a transient political crisis but rather a reflection of the deep-rooted fragility of Pakistan’s civilian leadership. Historically, the military has played a decisive role in shaping the country’s political direction, often stepping in when civilian governments fail to maintain stability. PTI’s fragmentation has inadvertently strengthened the establishment’s hand, allowing it to exert even greater control over the political process.
This shift has profound consequences. The increasing dominance of the military further erodes Pakistan’s already fragile democratic institutions. With civilian leadership weakened, the likelihood of meaningful democratic governance diminishes. The military’s growing influence raises critical questions about the future of civilian rule and the extent to which Pakistan’s political system can function independently of military oversight.
Conclusion
PTI’s internal divisions have exposed not only the vulnerabilities of the party itself but also the broader weaknesses of Pakistan’s democratic institutions. The dual crises—one of leadership and another of ideology—have left PTI struggling to maintain its relevance. The battle between Aleema Khan and Bushra Bibi for control over PTI’s leadership has paralyzed the party’s decision-making, while the ideological split between pro-establishment and anti-establishment factions has further weakened its unity.
These divisions have also created a vacuum that the military has readily filled, solidifying its role as the ultimate arbiter of Pakistan’s political landscape. While some within PTI advocate for negotiations with the military to secure the party’s survival, others remain adamant that resistance is the only path forward. This strategic disarray has left PTI unable to effectively challenge the government or present itself as a viable alternative to the ruling parties.
As Pakistan navigates this turbulent political period, the question remains: Can PTI reinvent itself and emerge as a cohesive force once again, or will it continue to splinter under the weight of its internal conflicts? The party’s future—and by extension, the future of Pakistan’s civilian democracy—hangs in the balance. The coming months will determine whether PTI can overcome its divisions or whether it will fade into political irrelevance, allowing the military to further cement its grip on the nation’s governance.
Dr Syed Eesar Mehdi is an Associate Research Fellow at International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi, India. The views expressed here are his own. He can be reached at eesar.mehdi@gmail.comÂ
