PM announces new PTI structure

Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is also the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on Saturday announced the new organisational structure of his party, a day after dissolving all previous bodies over dismal performance in the local government (LG) elections in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Premier Imran appointed Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar as the new PTI secretary-general, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood as Punjab president, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak as K-P president, Federal Minister for Industries Khusro Bakhtiar as South Punjab president, Maritime Minister Ali Haider Zaidi as Sindh president and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri as Balochistan president.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry made these announcements through a series of tweets. He also revealed that the PTI chairman has appointed Aamir Mahmood Kiani as PTI’s additional secretary-general.

After a meeting of the senior leadership on Friday, the information minister had disclosed that the prime minister had disbanded the entire party structure. Speaking to the media, he said the PTI chairman had removed all officer-bearers from their positions after evaluating their performance in the first phase of the K-P local government elections.

Fawad said that the prime minister was displeased with the party’s performance in the K-P LG elections and the distribution of tickets.

Read Report on PTI’s defeat in K-P LG polls prepared

After appointment as the PTI secretary-general, Umar said, “Holding an important position in the largest political party of Pakistan is a matter of pride and honour besides a great responsibility. Inshallah, under the leadership of Imran Khan, the PTI will get stronger as per expectations of the party workers and voters.”

He underscored that PTI workers are its capital, which no other party has.

Mahmood said, “I am very grateful to Chairman Imran Khan for reposing trust in me and appointing me as the PTI Punjab president. Political offices are always a challenge. I look forward to working closely with the entire PTI family. I am also grateful for all the messages of congratulations and support that I have received from many well-wishers. Much obliged.”

Zaidi tweeted, “… am humbled by the faith Prime Minister Imran Khan has shown in me to lead PTI Sindh. I seek guidance from Allah, prayers and support from family [members] and friends. Will try to live up to the expectations of all, especially workers. Together, we will pull Sindh out of deprivation.”