Usman Dar, a close aide to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, departed from the formerly ruling PTI. He attributed his decision mainly to the events of May 9 when PTI supporters attacked state facilities following the detention of the former Prime Minister. Dar revealed in an interview that the May 9 upheaval intended to depose the army chief, General Asim Munir. This revelation comes after allegations of Dar’s “abduction”, a claim made by PTI.
Despite these allegations, Dar resurfaced to hold the PTI leadership accountable for the May 9 incident. He alleged that Imran Khan had directed actions against sensitive sites if arrested. Imran Khan, now an inmate in Adiala jail, was arrested on May 9 due to graft charges. Dar, who had held the position of special assistant during PTI’s rule, criticized Khan for manipulating party workers to resist his arrest.
Following this controversy, Dar joins notable figures such as Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, and Pervez Khattak who have disassociated from Imran after May 9.
Policy and PTI’s Internal Divide
Dar voiced his belief that the May 9 incident was not spontaneous. He stated that two dominant mindsets emerged within the party following PTI’s displacement from power due to a no-confidence vote. One faction, consisting of figures like Azam Swati and Hammad Azhar, endorsed confrontational politics. In contrast, the other, which included Asad Umar and Dar himself, felt that reconciliation with the army was the way forward. According to Dar, the foundation of PTI was severely weakened after May 9, blaming the PTI chairman for endorsing an anti-state stance. The former special assistant described May 9 as a “shameful day”.
In response to Dar’s assertions, PTI spokesperson Shoaib Shaheen questioned Dar’s delay in speaking out about the May 9 incident, stating that Sindh’s interim home minister had already clarified that Dar was “under arrest”. Shaheen also pointed out that if Dar intended to make his statement freely, his prolonged silence is questionable. He further highlighted that the PTI had previously denounced the violence on May 9.
