KP Assembly Passes Budget Without Imran Khan’s Approval: Taimur Jhagra Reacts
In a surprising turn of events, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly passed the fiscal budget for 2025–26 without the direct approval of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan. The move has sparked a political storm within PTI ranks, prompting a strong response from senior party leader and former KP finance minister, Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra.
A Party Divided
Taimur Jhagra, known for his close association with Imran Khan and for serving as a key figure in PTI’s economic policy wing, expressed his dismay over the KP government’s decision to proceed with the budget without Khan’s endorsement. Jhagra publicly claimed that such a critical policy move — the provincial budget — should not have been passed without the explicit input and approval of the party’s incarcerated leader, who, despite his legal challenges, still holds immense influence over PTI’s political decisions.
In a statement issued to the media, Jhagra said, “This is not just about numbers or financial allocations. It is about respecting the party’s central leadership and the vision Imran Khan has set for governance. Bypassing him on a matter as crucial as the budget is not only politically damaging but also a sign of internal disconnect.”
KP Government’s Position
On the other side, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who has been leading KP under the PTI banner since early 2024, insisted that the budget was prepared after adequate consultation within the party and was aligned with Imran Khan’s broader economic vision. According to Gandapur, while Imran Khan could not directly participate due to his incarceration, the party’s economic team and leadership structure were involved throughout the process.
“There is no betrayal of trust here,” said Gandapur during a press briefing in Peshawar. “The budget reflects PTI’s values — welfare-focused spending, austerity, and provincial autonomy. We had full internal discussions, and the budget was not passed unilaterally.”
Imran Khan’s Incarceration and Its Political Fallout
Since Imran Khan’s arrest and subsequent conviction in multiple legal cases, his direct influence on day-to-day party governance has been challenged, even though he remains the symbolic heart of PTI. The growing gap between the central leadership and regional governments under the PTI flag has been noticeable, and the KP budget issue seems to have brought those cracks to the surface.
Party insiders suggest that a faction within PTI is increasingly frustrated with delays and uncertainties caused by Khan’s limited communication from prison. While loyalists like Taimur Jhagra argue that no key decision should be made without Khan’s blessing, others seem to be advocating for more autonomous, regionally-driven governance in order to keep the party functional ahead of upcoming by-elections and local government challenges.
Constitutional Questions and Political Implications
There is no legal requirement in Pakistan’s constitution that mandates provincial assemblies to seek approval from party heads for budget passage. However, PTI, being a highly centralized political movement built around Imran Khan’s persona, has functioned more on internal loyalty than institutional process.
This move by the KP Assembly could be seen as a shift toward a more conventional parliamentary model — where elected representatives govern within their mandate — or, more controversially, as a fracture in the party’s unity. Either way, it puts PTI at a crossroads: Should the party remain tightly bound to Khan’s direction, or begin to evolve as a more institutionally decentralized political entity?
Taimur Jhagra’s Role and the Bigger Picture
Taimur Jhagra’s criticism is not without weight. As a former finance minister, his expertise in economic affairs lends credibility to his concerns. Moreover, his public statement can be read as a strategic move to reassert Khan’s centrality at a time when the party’s direction is uncertain.
Observers believe Jhagra’s dissent could embolden other PTI leaders to voice concerns about how decisions are being made within the party. Alternatively, it might force a re-evaluation of how to engage Imran Khan in governance matters despite his legal constraints.
Conclusion
The KP budget controversy illustrates the tension between ideology and pragmatism within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. It raises important questions about leadership, loyalty, and democratic function in a party long dominated by a single leader. While the budget has been passed, the internal political cost may be high, particularly if such moves continue to alienate Khan loyalists.
Whether this episode will trigger a wider internal crisis or prompt PTI to reform its decision-making processes remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the politics of KP — and of PTI — is rapidly evolving in the post-Imran era, even as the man himself remains the party’s undisputed figurehead.
Reference: کےپی اسمبلی نے عمران خان کی منظوری کے بغیر ہی بجٹ پاس کر لیا:تیمور جھگڑا