ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), already undergoing reorganisation, has decided to seek proposals from its members and activists regarding changes in the party’s constitution.

The decision was made at a meeting of the special committee, headed by newly-appointed secretary general of PTI Arshad Dad, here on Wednesday, according to an official announcement by the party’s central media department.

“Reviewing the party constitution prior to reorganisation is necessary,” the statement quoted the PTI’s secretary general as saying at the meeting.

Mr Dad said that the committee, constituted by PTI chairman Imran Khan to reorganise the party and review its constitution, included those who had also previously played a role in drafting the party’s present constitution.

“Recommendations from workers across the country will be welcomed and we want the review process of the party constitution to be completely based on mutual understanding,” Mr Dad said, adding that the party would be made an exemplary national asset by strengthening its foundations.

The committee will continue to meet for four days and recommendations for amendments to the constitution will be formulated at the conclusion of the meetings.

PTI central additional secretary Ejaz Choudhry, deputy speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri, central deputy secretary general Aizaz Asif, senior leaders Saifullah Niazi, Omer Sarfaraz Cheema, Haleem Adil Sheikh and Senator Semi Aizdi also attended the meeting.

The PTI began the process of the party reorganisation on Nov 6 with the formation of a 21-member committee to review the party’s constitution and seeking applications from aspirants for its various organisational posts.

The party had already sought written applications from aspirants of party offices and positions of their choice. They had also been asked to submit educational documents and details of their services for the party with the application.

Mr Dad had previously stated that the committee would assess the aspirants’ qualification, capabilities and their commitment to the party’s ideology and ensure new leadership even at the lowest level of the party.

He said that the party wanted the fresh blood to join the PTI to make the party an exemplary national asset in the light of Mr Khan’s vision.

At the time of the formation of the special committee earlier this month, a PTI spokesman told Dawn that after coming into power, the party leadership had decided to separate the government and party offices.

He said that some appointments had already been made by the party chairman and to fill vacant posts, the party had decided to seek applications.

Responding to a question, he said that it did not mean that the party was running away from internal elections, saying that elections were some two years away and the party had decided to fill vacancies through nominations till that time. Moreover, he said, the Constitution Review Committee had also been assigned the task of suggesting changes in the constitution and it would also review clauses dealing with the party elections.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2018