Web Desk (MNN); A new internal memo issued within the PTI to formalise a chain of command has triggered internal backlash from several party leaders, who argue the move resembles a military-style structure and undermines democratic decision-making.
Certain leaders criticised the order as an attempt to centralise authority rather than decentralise it, claiming the party’s original constitution only mentioned a core committee and not a political decision-making body.
However, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram defended the decision, calling it a necessary step to resolve organisational issues. He said the notification, issued by Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi, aims to streamline command and prevent internal confusion.
According to the memo, provincial presidents and general secretaries will now directly report to the PTI secretary general, while regional and district leadership will answer to their respective tiers. It clarifies that no organisational level may bypass this chain of command and that functional authority will be exercised with cabinet approval at each tier.
Despite the directive, dissent continues within the party. One senior leader, speaking anonymously, claimed the new structure reflects “one-man rule”, limiting differences of opinion. Another observed that PTI once embraced debate, but the new setup would function like a disciplined army unit, leaving no room for dissent.
Sheikh Waqas Akram maintains that the system aligns with the party’s constitution submitted to the ECP in 2019, arguing that without hierarchy, the party structure cannot function effectively. He added that the memo primarily concerns appointment clarity within the Election Management and Assessment Cell (EMAC).
