In wake of its ill-fated organizational decisions, cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaaf is facing crises in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as some of the new figures seem disheartened and are thinking about disassociating themselves from the party.
So far four main groups have announced contesting for offices in party elections to be held somewhere in the third week of September. The PTI workers are going to elect 17 office-bearers, including nine males and three females on general seats, while five others officers, including a female, would lead various wings of the party.
The groups inclined to contest for the 17 offices included Pervez Khattak, Asad Qaisar, Masood Sharif Khattak and Shaukat Ali Yousafzai. Pervez Khattak, who intends to contest election for party’s provincial president, already occupies a berth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.
Both Asad Qaisar and Shaukat Yousafzai are considered amongst old party stalwarts, while Pervez Khattak and Masood Sharif Khattak have recently joined the party.
Nawabzada Mohammad Omar Farooq Hoti, who hails from Mardan, was a candidate for the office of provincial general secretary from Pervez Khattak’s panel, but a couple of days back, he announced disassociation from the process.
Pakistan Today came to know that Omar Farooq had disassociated himself from process as his father Nawabzada Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti was unhappy and Omar was now planning to join some other party.
Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti had joined the PTI in December and was declared the party’s senior vice president for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Nawabzada Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti confirmed his differences with the party, but said he had not yet thought about joining some other political party.
It was reported that Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti was in contact with leaders and stalwarts of both Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Hoti said, “I will make any decision after consulting friends and associates.” He also confirmed that Omar had disassociated himself from the party’s internal election in the wake of his reservations.
He was critical of the procedure being adopted in connection with internal elections. Hoti said no one could trust polls to be held through mobile phones or SMSs. Shaukat Ali Yousafzai confirmed that the party’s elections would be held through mobile SMSs and phone calls.
Noted lawyer and former president of Supreme Court Bar Association Qazi Mohammad Anwar has already been declared the chairman elections for supervising and conducting the election process.
Before joining the Awami National Party in 2004-2005, Nawabzada Khawaja Mohammad Khan Hoti was leading the PPP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He is reported to be in contact with some of old fellows for rejoining the PPP.
Insiders say a majority of newcomers feel unhappy over leaving their previous parties and some even consider PTI a mob rather then a political party.