ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), grappling to hold its ground amid intense political turmoil, on Monday appointed the outspoken MNA Shahid Khattak to the party’s newly restructured political committee.
The move is widely seen as an effort by the embattled party to consolidate its ranks and signal continued resistance in the face of mounting challenges.
The formal notification, issued by PTI’s Central Secretariat, was signed by Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi.
Khattak, currently hospitalised after sustaining a leg fracture, was injured during a tense confrontation outside Adiala Jail.
On a bitterly cold December night, the MNA, alongside several other party leaders, tried to shield the elderly sisters of PTI’s imprisoned founding chairman, Imran Khan, from a water cannon attack by Punjab police.
Khattak’s attempt to protect Khan’s elderly sisters from the brutal force ended in misfortune when he fell into an open manhole, breaking his leg in the process.
A vocal critic of the establishment and a steadfast defender of Imran Khan, Khattak has long been a thorn in the side of the ruling powers.
Last week, he was appointed as PTI’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly by Imran Khan, and his recent appointment to the party’s key decision-making body is viewed as a direct response to the increasing pressure on the party.
It underscores Khattak’s pivotal role in PTI’s ongoing battle for survival and its efforts to stay relevant amid a deepening political crisis.
In addition, PTI acknowledged the service of Khalid Khushid, who has stepped down as Chief Organiser of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF).
Despite his departure from the ISF leadership, Khushid, who enjoyed the full backing of Imran Khan during his tenure as chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, will continue to serve the party in new roles as president of Gilgit-Baltistan and youth wing organiser.
This move is seen as a strategic attempt to retain Khushid within the party fold.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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