PTI denies sidelining core committee in decision-making shake-up

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has rejected reports that its core committee has been sidelined or that its decision-making authority has been transferred to another party body. The clarification follows widespread speculation about a possible reorganisation of the opposition party’s internal command structure.

Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said the core committee, political committee and parliamentary party remain separate forums with distinct responsibilities. He explained that organisational and political matters fall under the core and political committees, while the parliamentary party primarily handles legislative affairs.

Akram said recommendations made by the parliamentary party receive consideration and can be forwarded to the relevant committees. He maintained that ultimate authority over party decisions rests with founder Imran Khan, who has delegated specific responsibilities to the different forums.

PTI leader Naeem Haider Panjutha said Barrister Ali Zafar had suggested strengthening the parliamentary committee during a meeting. He stressed that the proposal had not been approved and should not be treated as evidence that the party’s established committee structure had changed.

Panjutha said the political committee had been created to make decisions more efficiently because the core committee’s large membership made deliberations difficult and increased the risk of internal discussions becoming public. He added that a separate proposal to include the heads of organisational bodies in the political committee was also under consideration.

He pointed to the existing division of political responsibilities, saying Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas had been entrusted with the mandate for negotiations and the political movement, while Sohail Afridi had been authorised to lead street mobilisation. Panjutha argued that any major restructuring would require Imran Khan’s approval.

The party also rejected a statement attributed to interim chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan suggesting that Sohail Afridi’s detention resulted from a pre-planned decision to travel to Peshawar instead of remaining in Mardan. PTI’s denial indicates that reports surrounding both its leadership structure and internal strategy remain contested.

In a separate statement, the party raised concerns over the continued detention and treatment of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and other PTI members. It demanded regular access to relatives, lawyers and party representatives, along with appropriate medical care for its founder under the supervision of his personal physician.

The clarification is intended to establish a visible chain of command at a time when PTI is simultaneously managing parliamentary activity, negotiations and street mobilisation. Unless the party issues a formal notification changing the authority or composition of its committees, reports of a completed structural shake-up remain unconfirmed.