The inside details of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) core committee meeting held yesterday have surfaced, revealing significant discord within the party over the handling of the November 24 protest. The discussions brought to light disagreements over strategy, leadership, and the controversial decision to shift the protest location.
Blame Game Over Protest Strategy
The meeting reportedly revolved around the planning and execution of the November 24 protest. Sources revealed that Barrister Gohar placed the blame for the protest’s shortcomings squarely on the government. However, Sahibzada Hamid Raza criticized the decision to hold the protest at D-Chowk, asserting that it was not approved by the political committee.
Tensions flared further when committee members questioned why senior leaders, including Barrister Gohar and Salman Akram Raja, failed to lead the protest themselves. This lack of visible leadership, according to some members, undermined the protest’s impact and left grassroots supporters feeling directionless.
Clash Over Founding Leader’s Directives
The meeting also addressed conflicting directives about the protest’s location. According to sources, PTI’s founding leader had initially instructed the party to hold a sit-in at Sangjani, emphasizing that the caravans should not be dispersed or diverted from this location.
However, it was revealed during the meeting that these directives were overruled. Members alleged that Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI’s founder, directed the party to relocate the protest to D-Chowk instead. This last-minute change sparked frustration among core committee members, who accused the leadership of sidelining the political committee’s decisions in favor of personal preferences.
Core Committee Members Voice Their Concerns
The meeting turned heated as core committee members expressed their dissatisfaction with how the political committee’s strategy was disregarded. They emphasized that ignoring the founding leader’s original plan had contributed to the protest’s disorganization and lackluster outcome.
A senior party leader reportedly stated that such unilateral decisions eroded trust within the party’s ranks and undermined collective decision-making. The member further criticized the communication gap, which left many supporters confused about the protest’s objectives and logistics.
Key Resolutions from the Meeting
The core committee decided to compile and share a detailed report on the protest’s failures with the PTI founder. This report is expected to include:
- Strategic Missteps: Highlighting the shift in protest location and its negative impact on turnout and organization.
- Leadership Absence: Addressing the lack of visible leadership from senior figures during the protest.
- Ignoring Party Decisions: Documenting instances where the founding leader’s directives were bypassed.
The committee also resolved to strengthen internal communication and decision-making processes to avoid similar issues in future protests or political actions.
Challenges Facing PTI Leadership
The revelations from the core committee meeting underscore the challenges PTI faces as it tries to navigate internal rifts and external pressures. The November 24 protest was meant to signal the party’s resilience and unity, but the fallout from its execution has instead exposed deep divisions within its leadership.
- Leadership Accountability: Members are demanding greater accountability from senior leaders to ensure they take an active role in mobilizing and leading protests.
- Decision-Making Transparency: Calls for a more inclusive approach to decision-making reflect growing frustration among lower-tier leaders and supporters.
- Managing Expectations: As PTI continues to face scrutiny, managing internal expectations and external narratives will be critical to its success.
What’s Next for PTI?
To regain momentum, PTI will need to address the issues raised during the core committee meeting. This includes rebuilding trust within its ranks, ensuring alignment between its leadership and grassroots supporters, and refining its protest strategies.
The party must also navigate the delicate balance between honoring its founding leader’s vision and adapting to evolving political dynamics. Failure to do so could lead to further divisions and diminish PTI’s ability to mobilize its base effectively.
The internal discord revealed in PTI’s core committee meeting highlights the challenges the party faces in maintaining unity and focus. As the November 24 protest fallout continues to unfold, PTI must address its leadership gaps and decision-making flaws to rebuild its credibility and reassert its position in Pakistan’s political landscape.
By prioritizing transparency, collective decision-making, and grassroots engagement, PTI can turn this moment of crisis into an opportunity for growth and renewal.
