PTI founder Imran Khan has dissolved the party’s political committee. The move aims to reduce the size of the body and streamline internal decision-making. The previous committee had nearly forty members. According to party officials, the new structure will include fewer individuals. The final list will likely feature provincial heads, opposition leaders and selected senior members.
This reshuffle marks another decisive step by the party’s incarcerated leader. Despite his confinement, he continues to drive structural changes inside PTI. His directives show a clear intent to rebuild the party’s core decision-making units in a more focused way.
New Parliamentary Leader Named, But Questions Remain
Imran Khan has also directed the appointment of Shahid Khattak as the party’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly. However, insiders have suggested that this decision may not be implemented. Earlier, Zartaj Gul was appointed for the same role. The present hesitation comes from legal concerns regarding independent legislators.
Party members believe that the leadership may avoid appointing someone who does not fulfil certain parliamentary requirements. Even so, Imran’s directive highlights his ongoing influence on parliamentary strategy.
Moreover, the PTI founder has authorised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to restructure the Insaf Lawyers Forum. This step indicates a broader reorganisation within the party’s professional wings.
PTI Leaders Criticise Government Over Afghanistan Policy
While organisational changes continue, PTI leaders have launched a strong critique of the government’s handling of relations with Afghanistan. During a press briefing, senior party figures stressed the need for balanced state institutions and effective foreign policy decisions.
Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan had suffered due to ongoing tensions. He argued that commercial activity should not stop even during conflicts. He also mentioned that the closure of the border had caused widespread unemployment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He insisted that diplomacy must guide Pakistan’s approach. According to him, the government’s reluctance to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan has damaged regional stability and economic activity. He also urged the state to maintain constitutional boundaries for every institution.
Call for Rule of Law and Institutional Balance
PTI representatives said that Pakistan needs strict adherence to the Constitution. They clarified that they do not oppose any institution. Instead, they want every institution to remain within its defined limits. They also highlighted that Imran Khan supports constructive trade with Afghanistan. The previous PTI government had already developed a policy to strengthen cross-border commerce.
More importantly, Qaiser noted that rising unemployment and industrial closures in KP were linked to poor policy decisions. He described growing frustration in the region and blamed it on flawed governance. During a recent peace jirga, multiple parties agreed that federal foreign policy had affected KP’s internal security environment.
Concerns Over Economy and Governance
Former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair also raised concerns about the state of the national economy. He said exports had dropped over the last three years. During the same period, the trade deficit had risen sharply. He claimed the government continued to describe the economy as stable, even as several officials acknowledged severe investment-related problems.
Zubair pointed out that Pakistan ranked poorly in global governance assessments. He compared Pakistan’s ranking with regional countries and highlighted a significant gap. According to him, Pakistani citizens do not receive respect abroad and face challenges due to weak governance.
He also mentioned that unemployment had surged to the highest level in twenty-one years. Inflation had increased living costs to difficult levels. Zubair criticised the government for not responding to an international report that highlighted unfair advantages enjoyed by privileged groups.
Additionally, he questioned why major political parties failed to produce finance ministers. Instead, bankers were being assigned the responsibility of steering the economy. He said this raised serious concerns about long-term planning.
PTI Points to Governance Issues and Rising Pressures
Another PTI leader, Taimur Khan Jhagra, criticised the information ministry for unsubstantiated claims about Imran Khan. He said the ministry’s statements had damaged the government’s credibility. Jhagra also discussed Pakistan’s governance ranking in comparison with other South Asian nations. He said Pakistan’s position was significantly lower than that of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India.
He further highlighted that the upcoming National Finance Commission meeting would be crucial. KP would demand its rightful share, especially for residents of erstwhile FATA. He stated that the current NFC award did not meet constitutional obligations.
A Reshuffle That Signals a New PTI Strategy
Imran Khan’s dissolution of the political committee appears to be the start of a wider restructuring. PTI is trying to centralise decision-making and build a leaner power structure. The reduced committee will likely help the founder maintain tighter control from prison.
Furthermore, PTI leaders continue to apply pressure on the government by highlighting economic and governance failures. They demand institutional boundaries, improved diplomacy and fair economic reforms. Their statements suggest a strategy built on internal restructuring and external criticism.
What This Means for PTI’s Future
This major reshuffle signals a recalibrated political approach before upcoming national decisions. PTI intends to reorganise its internal machinery while pushing for wider reforms in national policy. The party appears focused on strengthening internal discipline and amplifying its political message.
Although Imran Khan is incarcerated, his directives continue to set the tone for PTI. His decisions show that he remains central to the party’s long-term strategy and future leadership.
