Imran dissolves PTI political committee

PTI founding chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday dissolved the party's political committee, with plans to replace it with a smaller body.

Sheikh Waqas Akram, the party's Information Secretary, confirmed that the existing political committee has been disbanded and will be replaced by a smaller committee. The previous committee comprised approximately 40 members.

Waqas maintained that the new committee will most likely have the party's provincial heads, leaders of the opposition and a few more members.

Imran also directed that Shahid Khattak be appointed as parliamentary leader in the National Assembly.

Party sources indicate that the plan may not be carried out. While Zartaj Gul was appointed as parliamentary leader in the past, this time it could be argued that independent legislators are not eligible for the position. In addition, Imran has tasked K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi with reorganising the Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF).

Earlier, it was reported that some PTI parliamentary members had attended a National Security Workshop at Islamabad's National Defence University (NDU) on Nov 29, drawing the displeasure of Imran Khan over their participation. The event brought together parliamentarians, senior civil and military officials, academics, and civil society representatives.

The parliamentary members on Wednesday clarified their position.

Sources said a key meeting was held between party leadership and the concerned lawmakers, during which the matter of workshop participation was discussed in detail.

The parliamentary members told the leadership that their attendance at the workshop was fully in line with party instructions, advice, and approval.

The members noted that several PTI leaders and members had attended the same workshop last year, expressing surprise that this year's participation had become controversial.

It was also revealed during the meeting that PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja was not present at the consultative session. Lawmakers voiced serious concerns over the matter and highlighted the lack of a clear policy.

Sources confirmed that a few members offered their resignations, but the party leadership, including PTI founding chairman's sisters, persuaded them to hold off, assuring that their position would be fully communicated to the founding chairman in the next meeting.

Mashal Yousafzai clarified that she neither attended any briefing nor met anyone, adding that it was Imran Khan who made her adhere to parliamentary discipline.

Another party member, Adil Bazai, described the NDU workshop as a purely academic programme, noting that 90% of PTI parliamentarians had attended it in the past.