• New body designated as the party’s top decision-making forum for political, organisational affairs
• Committee to meet weekly; decisions to be taken through central secretariat

ISLAMABAD: PTI has annou­nced the reconstitution of a 23-member political committee for the party and its alliance, with the new body taking effect immediately.

The PTI secretary general, acting on the instructions of the party’s founding chairman and in consultation with senior leadership, has approved the reconstitution of the political committee of the party or an alliance.

According to a notification issued by the PTI Central Secretariat, signed by Salman Akram Raja, PTI Secretary General, and Firdous Shamim Naqvi, PTI Additional Secretary General, the committee will act as the party’s highest decision-making forum, responsible for overseeing political strategy, organisational matters, and policy direction. The committee will meet at least once a week, and its decisions will be implemented through the Central Secretariat and relevant party structures across the country.

Members of the political committee include: PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan; Secretary General Salman Akram Raja; Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi; Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram; KP CM Sohail Afridi; Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, proposed Leader of the Opposition in the Senate; Mahmood Khan Achakzai, proposed Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly; Omar Ayub, outgoing Leader of the Opposition in the NA; Shibli Faraz, outgoing Leader of the Opposition in the Senate; Sardar Moeen Qureshi, Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly; Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar,outgoing Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly; Sajjad Burki, Secretary Overseas International Chapter; and Provincial President; Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza, Junaid Akbar, Haleem Adil, Dawood Kakar, Secretary Regions AJK and GB Khalid Khursheed and Sardar Qayyum Niazi; Secretary General TTAP Asad Qaiser,

Chief Whip NA Amir Dogar, Coordinator in the Senate for Senate leader of the Opposition Fawzia Arshad, Women Wing President Kanwal Shauzab; and Dr Lal Chand Malhi were also included in the committee.

The political committee becomes effective immediately. Subcommitt­ees will be formed as needed to assist with party elections and other organisational requirements. The committee may consult office-bearers across all wings of the party.

Senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser said the proposal to dissolve the previous political committee had been floated multiple times by members.

He said one of the reasons behind the dissolution was the frequent leaking of its decisions, adding that the timing of the announcement decision was irrelevant since the proposal had long been under consideration.

It may be noted that earlier an internal memo by the party was issued, which aimed to centralise control in the office of the secretary general, Salman Akram Raja. The move had come under fire, as party insiders said it seemed to be an attempt to “end democracy and silence dissent” in the PTI.

A PTI leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the dissolved committee had round 40 members, which contributed to frequent leaks. “Moreover, there was a need to include Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and Mahmood Khan Achakzai in the political committee,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2025