ISLAMABAD: Amid an internal dispute over the formation of a coordination and monitoring committee for Punjab, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Tuesday said he stood firmly by his decision, making it clear that no existing member would be exclu­ded and no new person would be included in the recently-formed committee.

“I know that some leaders have been criticising Amjad Khan Niazi [convenor of the body], saying that he left the party [in the wake of the events of May 9, 2023]. However, they should not forget that Imran Khan himself accepted his explanation and appointed him as his political coordinator. There is a vacuum in PTI Punjab, as 80 per cent of the leadership is either in jail or underground. Therefore, Niazi is the best option to address the issues and continue the political struggle,” he told Dawn.

On Monday, Mr Raja notified the five-member body, with Mr Niazi as convenor and Naeem Haider Pa­­njotha, Shaukat Mahmood Basra, Ali Ijaz Buttar, and Mehr Abdul Sattar as members. The committee has been tasked with coordinating organisational matters across the four regions of Punjab through engagement with regional presidents and general secretaries.

The terms of reference also outline additional responsibilities, in­­cluding coordinating election planning and preparation, monitoring the completion of party structures at all levels, overseeing the activities of affiliated wings, advising re­­gional leadership on organisational effectiveness, and proposing and monitoring political events in the province. Furthermore, the commi­ttee will monitor prisoners’ welfare and provide legal support in court cases. According to the no­­t­­ification signed by Mr Raja, the committee is required to submit a weekly report to the secretary general.

Salman Akram Raja rejects pressure to alter committee, cites leadership vacuum

Responding to a question, Mr Raja said that immense pressure was being exerted to change the committee’s composition, but he would not give in.

“There were many candidates for membership, but after failing to secure a position, they have started criticising. Amjad Khan Niazi met Imran Khan and informed him that he had to leave the party due to pressure. Later, Imran Khan appointed him as political coordinator. Shaukat Basra is a veteran worker and the party’s deputy general secretary. Mehr Abdul Sattar is a symbol of struggle; he spent five years in jail due to his stance against the Okara Military Farms,” he said.

Mr Raja added that with the majority of the leadership either in jail or underground, the best available individuals had been selected. “Khan Sahib has directed us to encourage youth, which is why Naeem Haider Panjotha has been included in the committee. He never misses meetings and regularly visits Adiala jail,” he said.

When asked about the party’s fu­­ture course, he said that PTI would continue its political struggle.

Talking to Dawn, Shaukat Basra claimed that as many as 60 FIRs had been registered against him and that he was facing multiple cases. “We will take all possible steps to make the party stronger and more active so that Imran Khan can be released,” he said.

A PTI leader, requesting anony­mity, said that the formation of the Punjab coordination and monitoring committee had become a subject of debate within party circles.

“While several leaders are opposing the decision, others are supporting it,” he said. He further alleged that Amjad Niazi did not inform Mr Khan that he had recorded a video against him and the party before rejoining.

“There are many PTI leaders who faced pressure but did not record statements against Imran Khan. Similarly, many have spent five to seven years in jail during the struggle for Okara military farms, so imprisonment alone should not be a criterion for appointments,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026