Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Junaid Akbar resigned as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on May 13, 2025, following directives from PTI founder Imran Khan.
Akbar submitted his resignation to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, emphasising his compliance with party instructions. The move, confirmed by Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and party leaders, reflects a strategic shift to focus Akbar’s efforts on provincial party responsibilities.
Akbar, who became PAC chairman unopposed in January 2025, stated, “The position was a trust given by the party, and I am stepping down as per its instructions.” He emphasised his full acceptance of Imran Khan’s decisions.
Aleema Khan on Junaid Akbar’s pivotal role:
Imran Khan’s trust in Junaid Akbar is so profound that he entrusted him with the toughest and critical mission—leading the movement. This isn’t just a responsibility; it’s a mark of honor. While others chase positions, for Imran Khan,… pic.twitter.com/fApQjhrtGS
— PTI USA Official (@PTIOfficialUSA) May 13, 2025Outside Parliament House, Aleema Khan conveyed Imran Khan’s directive to PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Omar Ayub. Barrister Gohar called it an internal matter and expressed confidence in a swift resolution.
Background discussions revealed that Imran Khan wants Akbar to focus on party organisation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Akbar recently replaced Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur as provincial president[14]. Holding both the PAC chairmanship and the provincial presidency was seen as a constraint, prompting the directive to step down.
.@JunaidAkbarMNA said that he had handed over his resignation to PTI Chairman @BarristerGohar, saying he was stepping down as per its instructions. He stated that any decision taken by @ImranKhanPTI, would be accepted by him. https://t.co/dvecxzo5m9
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) May 13, 2025Speculation suggests Omar Ayub, due to his seniority, may become the next PAC chairman, though no official confirmation has been made. This development has sparked broader discussions about PTI’s leadership dynamics.
The resignation follows a period of regional tensions, with Pakistan’s focus shifting to domestic stability post the May 10 India-Pakistan ceasefire. Akbar’s exit from the PAC, a key oversight body, underscores PTI’s strategic realignment to strengthen its regional influence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The party’s swift adherence to Imran Khan’s directive, relayed through family channels due to his incarceration, highlights its centralised decision-making.
