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SAJJAD ALI Sunday, 16 Oct 2011 12:14 am
Several influential politicians likely to join the party; Analysts say PTI capitalising on the gap created by other parties due to poor security situation; Former PTI members say party plays immature politics
PESHAWAR - Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan is aggressively trying to secure his position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) for the next elections and could likely win the support of some influential politicians, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Among those considering joining the PTI are a dissident MNA of the Awami National Party (ANP), Khuwaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, KP Irrigation Minister Pervez Khattak of the Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) from Nowshera, PPP-S member Israrullah Khan from Dera Ismail Khan, former PPP minister Iftikhar Khan Jhagra from Nowshera, and former KP minister Shujaat Ali Khan from Swat, sources in the PTI said.
The PTI chief would visit Mardan on Monday to hold a meeting with Hoti, who would either join the PTI or announce a date for joining, sources close to Hoti said. Hoti’s personal secretary Mehrab Gul and a PTI spokesman both confirmed the meeting between the two, saying the coming days would reveal a clearer picture. As Imran Khan has claimed to make a clean sweep in the next polls at both national and provincial levels, a lot depends on his party’s planning and management ahead of the elections.
Sources said the party’s strategy included winning the support of several sitting ministers and provincial legislators; however their names would not be disclosed before the party took its final decision. Political experts say Imran has been showing maturity in his political manoeuvres, and the people of KP wanted a bold and patriotic leader like Imran. Aqeel Yousafzai, a senior journalist and analyst, said all major parties, including the PPP and ANP, were disconnected because of poor security situation.
He said the PTI was capitalising on this communication gap and enhancing its vote bank in the province and in FATA, where Imran had easier access than other parties because of softer views on militancy. PTI sources also confirmed party contacts with provincial minister Pervez Khattak, MPA Israrullah Khan Gandapur, and former minister Iftikhar Jhagra. However Khattak denied contacts with the PTI.
PTI KP Information Secretary Zahid Hussain
said the party’s growing popularity had attracted several prominent personalities and raised hopes for better results in the elections. He said numerous former candidates for national and provincial assemblies were willing to join the party, which would accept only those who joined without any preconditions such as demanding tickets to contest elections. Hussain said the party would set up an impartial parliamentary board, which would decide the party candidates for elections.
Former MPA from Nowshera Qurban Ali Khan, who recently joined the PTI, said Imran had the courage to take a clear stance on the so-called war against terror and on other national issues. He said Imran’s courage had convinced him to join the party without preconditions. PTI KP President Asad Qaiser said the party was developing contacts in the southern parts of KP, as well as FATA, Peshawar and Charsadda. He said numerous influential figures from those areas would join the PTI in the next couple of weeks.
A PTI source said that Saleem Jan, former chief executive of the Bank of Punjab and a relative of Asfandyar Wali, would also join the PTI in upcoming days. However Jan refused to comment when contacted. Among others who have announced their affiliation with the PTI are: former ambassador to Afghanistan Rustam Shah Mohmand, Maj General (r) Taj-ul-Haq, Justice (r) Burhanuddin, former MPA Zafarullah Marwat, Omar Farooq Hoti, former provincial health minister Dr Mehr Taj Roghani and her husband Dilawar Shah Roghani. Despite the large number of people joining the PTI, some of its former members say the party is politically immature.
Nawabzada Mohsin Ali Khan, former PTI KP president and former provincial finance minister, said the party played immature politics. “Imran decides on everything without consulting the party members, therefore people leave them after having a bad experience,” he remarked. He said those joining the PTI were immature and had been rejected by their parties.
Some influential figures who quit the PTI after developing differences with its chief include: Minister for Higher Education Qazi Asad, Pakistan Patriotic Movement founder Abdul Rashed Yousafzai, former vice chancellor of Malakand University, Swat Dr Farooq (late), and former KP governor Owais Ghani.
SAJJAD ALI Sunday, 16 Oct 2011 12:14 am
Several influential politicians likely to join the party; Analysts say PTI capitalising on the gap created by other parties due to poor security situation; Former PTI members say party plays immature politics
PESHAWAR - Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan is aggressively trying to secure his position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) for the next elections and could likely win the support of some influential politicians, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Among those considering joining the PTI are a dissident MNA of the Awami National Party (ANP), Khuwaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, KP Irrigation Minister Pervez Khattak of the Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) from Nowshera, PPP-S member Israrullah Khan from Dera Ismail Khan, former PPP minister Iftikhar Khan Jhagra from Nowshera, and former KP minister Shujaat Ali Khan from Swat, sources in the PTI said.
The PTI chief would visit Mardan on Monday to hold a meeting with Hoti, who would either join the PTI or announce a date for joining, sources close to Hoti said. Hoti’s personal secretary Mehrab Gul and a PTI spokesman both confirmed the meeting between the two, saying the coming days would reveal a clearer picture. As Imran Khan has claimed to make a clean sweep in the next polls at both national and provincial levels, a lot depends on his party’s planning and management ahead of the elections.
Sources said the party’s strategy included winning the support of several sitting ministers and provincial legislators; however their names would not be disclosed before the party took its final decision. Political experts say Imran has been showing maturity in his political manoeuvres, and the people of KP wanted a bold and patriotic leader like Imran. Aqeel Yousafzai, a senior journalist and analyst, said all major parties, including the PPP and ANP, were disconnected because of poor security situation.
He said the PTI was capitalising on this communication gap and enhancing its vote bank in the province and in FATA, where Imran had easier access than other parties because of softer views on militancy. PTI sources also confirmed party contacts with provincial minister Pervez Khattak, MPA Israrullah Khan Gandapur, and former minister Iftikhar Jhagra. However Khattak denied contacts with the PTI.
PTI KP Information Secretary Zahid Hussain
said the party’s growing popularity had attracted several prominent personalities and raised hopes for better results in the elections. He said numerous former candidates for national and provincial assemblies were willing to join the party, which would accept only those who joined without any preconditions such as demanding tickets to contest elections. Hussain said the party would set up an impartial parliamentary board, which would decide the party candidates for elections.
Former MPA from Nowshera Qurban Ali Khan, who recently joined the PTI, said Imran had the courage to take a clear stance on the so-called war against terror and on other national issues. He said Imran’s courage had convinced him to join the party without preconditions. PTI KP President Asad Qaiser said the party was developing contacts in the southern parts of KP, as well as FATA, Peshawar and Charsadda. He said numerous influential figures from those areas would join the PTI in the next couple of weeks.
A PTI source said that Saleem Jan, former chief executive of the Bank of Punjab and a relative of Asfandyar Wali, would also join the PTI in upcoming days. However Jan refused to comment when contacted. Among others who have announced their affiliation with the PTI are: former ambassador to Afghanistan Rustam Shah Mohmand, Maj General (r) Taj-ul-Haq, Justice (r) Burhanuddin, former MPA Zafarullah Marwat, Omar Farooq Hoti, former provincial health minister Dr Mehr Taj Roghani and her husband Dilawar Shah Roghani. Despite the large number of people joining the PTI, some of its former members say the party is politically immature.
Nawabzada Mohsin Ali Khan, former PTI KP president and former provincial finance minister, said the party played immature politics. “Imran decides on everything without consulting the party members, therefore people leave them after having a bad experience,” he remarked. He said those joining the PTI were immature and had been rejected by their parties.
Some influential figures who quit the PTI after developing differences with its chief include: Minister for Higher Education Qazi Asad, Pakistan Patriotic Movement founder Abdul Rashed Yousafzai, former vice chancellor of Malakand University, Swat Dr Farooq (late), and former KP governor Owais Ghani.
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