TO have a worker-based political organisation may be a romantic notion in Pakistan but it does make a lot of practical sense for Prime Minister Imran Khan and his associates to want to create a party worth the name. The recent decision to attempt a restructuring drive within the PTI, bar a few offices at the top, is a part of fulfilling that desire. There have been signs about the level of importance Mr Khan attaches to organisation at the local level. After his camp lost a couple of crucial by-elections in Punjab a few months ago, Mr Khan was faced with a difficult question: was the PTI’s loss due to the inability of the party cadres to effectively communicate his message? The PTI, which claims to be anti-dynasty, has drawn considerable flak for its failure to work towards an activist-based system to sustain the kind of political culture it advocates. The dissolution of the structure is proof that the PTI’s own ranks feel they lack the organisational capacity or efficiency of, say, the Jamaat-i-Islami, which had otherwise apparently inspired the PTI founder on some counts. In fact, the model the ruling party has adopted is the same as pursued, generally, by the others — which may not be the result of any democratic exercise.

The idea is to have a stronger PTI by 2021, especially with the next general election scheduled for 2023. The party has a new constitution, a gift to mark its 23 years — and its first birthday at the helm. It is natural for all parties and leaders in power to try and consolidate themselves in a way that guarantees a firmer, longer grip on power. Thus, as news about the PTI’s desire to turn itself into a formidable organisation with deep roots among the people does the rounds, it is not impossible to notice a parallel effort to reinforce the image of Mr Khan as a true leader of the people. This is not for the first time that such a dual task has been undertaken. All rulers, both politicians and military men, and all parties and ruling factions, have gone through similar exercises in their time. It is unfortunate for the anti-dynasty and anti-dictatorial elements though that quite often personalities have beaten their own parties in the race. Given these trends, Mr Khan’s party will have to do something exceptional to come out of his spell and act as a modern and efficient machine.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2019