Key Takeaways
- PTI denies reports of core committee being sidelined.
- Parliamentary party recommendations considered but no decision made.
- Imran Khan retains final authority over all decisions.
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has rejected reports suggesting a change in the party’s decision-making structure, specifically denying that its core committee has been ‘sidelined’ or its powers re-designated to another body.
Sheikh Waqas Akram, the party’s central information secretary, clarified that the core committee, the political committee, and the parliamentary party are separate entities, each with distinct responsibilities. Organisational and political decisions fall under the core and political committees, while the parliamentary party deals with legislative and parliamentary issues.
During a meeting, Barrister Ali Zafar suggested strengthening the parliamentary committee, but this was just a recommendation and no decision was made. Naeem Haider Panjutha, a PTI leader, explained that Imran Khan had entrusted the political committee with decision-making authority, while directing that the core committee should also be taken into confidence before finalising decisions.
Panjutha further stated that the core committee’s large membership made decision-making difficult, leading to the formation of the political committee to facilitate decisions and reduce the chances of discussions being leaked. He also mentioned a proposal to include heads of the party’s organisational bodies in the political committee.
The PTI also rejected a statement attributed to PTI interim chief Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, which suggested that the KP chief minister could have avoided detention by staying in Mardan but chose to travel to Peshawar as part of a ‘pre-planned master plan’.
In a separate statement, the party condemned the prolonged detention of its founder, Imran Khan, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, and warned that continued disregard for constitutional safeguards, due process, and the sanctity of private homes could set an alarming precedent. The party demanded that both be granted their legal, fundamental, and constitutional rights.
Sheikh Waqas Akram claimed that Imran Khan had spent 1,177 days in detention at Adiala Jail, including 356 days in solitary confinement, while Bushra Bibi had remained behind bars for more than 911 days. The party expressed growing concerns about Mr Khan’s health and medical care and demanded immediate attention to their legal, fundamental, and constitutional rights.
The PTI reiterated that any change in the party’s decision-making structure could not be made without Imran Khan’s approval, highlighting his central role in the party’s governance.
‘Strengthening’ of parliamentary body suggested, but not decided, says Panjutha
Naeem Haider Panjutha, PTI leader
Subsequently, the mandate for the movement and negotiations was given to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas, while Sohail Afridi was entrusted with the authority to lead the street movement.
Naeem Haider Panjutha, PTI leader
