Justice Wajihuddin’s PTI membership suspended

Ex-judge called for discussing party’s internal issues publicly

ISLAMABAD:

Hours after issuance of the warning, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday suspended the basic membership of Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed over his insistence to discuss the party’s internal matter publicly and maligning some senior party leaders.

“...the chairman is left with no option but to suspend the basic membership of Justice retried Wajihuddin Ahmed,” said a statement issued by the PTI chief’s spokesperson Dr Shireen Mazari.

Justice Wajihuddin has openly defied the party discipline even after issuance of the chairman’s notification on August 4 which clearly stated that anyone discussing internal party matters publicly will be suspended immediately from the party membership.

However, defying the notification the retired justice also declared that he will continue to air internal party matters in public.

Imran pointed out that he has always had the highest respect for Wajiuddin Ahmed, with whom he held a 3-hour-long meeting last weekend.

According to the communiqué a democratic culture within a political party should not be mistaken for freewheeling anarchy, adding that all parties function within a structured discipline and party forums exist to air grievances and seek redress.

The PTI chief regretted that Justice Wajiuddin’s maligning of senior party leaders on baseless allegations has damaged the party more than the combined forces of the opposition ever could.

He also made it clear that there should be no confusion on the fact that according to the party constitution it is the chairman who is authorised to make the final decision on what is in the best interest and advancement of the party.

Earlier, getting irked by fissures within the party ranks, Imran warned members against disclosing details of internal matters on public forums.

“I am concerned that internal party matters and decisions are being discussed on public platforms,” he said, adding that the PTI is a democratic party and all members have the right to express their opinion within the party.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2015.