ISLAMABAD, Jul 16 (Alliance News): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja sparked internal party tension on Tuesday by publicly reprimanding Punjab Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza over her social media remarks regarding a recent PTI event in Lahore.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Raja expressed disapproval of Hamza’s post on X (formerly Twitter), which criticized the exclusion of key provincial leadership from the Lahore press conference. Raja warned that such social media activity would not be tolerated in the future.
He clarified that attendance at the press conference was not mandatory and said he only participated because Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was present, adding it would have been inappropriate for the CM to address the media alone.
“Anyone interested could have joined without needing a formal invitation,” Raja said. He stressed that any mistake should be acknowledged with an apology, but there was “no need to contact” regarding the matter.
“Aliya Hamza’s job is to mobilise Punjab… let her do her job. Aliya Hamza’s job is not to tweet,” he remarked pointedly.
The controversial media talk drew criticism from within the party. PTI’s parliamentary leader in the Senate, Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, strongly opposed the tone used by Salman Akram Raja.
Speaking on private news, Zafar said political leaders must avoid inflammatory language and instead foster constructive dialogue.
He reminded fellow party members that all were working under a shared ideology and no one had the right to undermine another. “Even if there’s criticism, it must be delivered calmly. When emotions run high, it’s best to pause and communicate with patience,” Zafar advised.
Zafar acknowledged that Aliya Hamza’s concerns were justified, noting that her role as Punjab’s chief organiser made her exclusion from the Lahore event a serious oversight. He added that Hamza was ready and available to attend the conference, and her input should have been respected.
The incident has highlighted internal strains within PTI’s leadership at a time when party unity is being closely watched amid ongoing political challenges.
