PTI's core and political committees set up a fact-finding committee on Sunday to investigate the failure of the party's long march, The Express Tribune reported.
Key points
- Most participants cited poor preparation, weak coordination and a lack of consultation
- Several reportedly blamed suspended KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for the shortcomings
- Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja later defended Afridi
Inside the meeting
Citing sources, the newspaper said the meeting held a lengthy discussion on the march. Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja reportedly said turnout was especially weak in Charsadda and Mardan, and that basics such as tents and overnight arrangements had not been put in place.
Some participants argued the march had turned into a loose street movement rather than an organised long march, with no defined points of advance, logistics or strategy.
Criticism of Afridi, and a defence
Several participants reportedly held Afridi responsible for the organisational failures. Raja, however, described him as a courageous young leader loyal to Imran Khan's ideology, saying a critical review was needed but warning against using core committee discussions out of context against Afridi.
Other proposals
The committees also discussed handing Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif responsibility for matters related to access to jailed PTI founder Imran Khan. Some members called for roles held by Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, the opposition leaders in the National Assembly and Senate respectively, to be given to PTI members.
Background
The PTI announced its long march on Islamabad on September 27 and later deferred it until October 4. On October 11, the federal government imposed an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing rising terrorism and the provincial government's alleged failure to tackle it, ending PTI's government in the province.
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