Abdul Aleem Khan has won the intra-party polls of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to become the president of the Lahore chapter.
According to details, three major contestants were in the race for the most coveted slots for the Lahore president which will have long-term impact in the future politics of the PTI as well as in the upcoming general elections.
Aleem Khan, who was elected an MPA in Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, joined the PTI ranks after the successful political congregation in the metropolitan which attracted hundreds and thousands of people at Minar-e-Pakistan. His critics have been campaigning on being the most recent worker of the party, saying that he had joined after the rest had laid the foundation. However, the realpolitik as it is, Aleem Khan got elected, silencing all his critics including those supporting Mehmood ur Rasheed. Aleem is also renowned for his financial muscle and his financial input in the party.
However, the lead of around 200 voters got him elected as the Lahore president with his supporters cheering and celebrating after hearing the news.
“We have worked day and night to support Aleem Khan and our labour has finally paid off. The results have shown the people have put their trust in this leader,” a supporter said.
Abdul Rasheed Bhatti got elected as the general secretary of the PTI Lahore wing. Prominent among the losing candidates for the slot of the president include Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed and Farooq Amjad Mir.
Jamshaid Iqbal Cheema, Abdur Rasheed Bhatti, Shoaib Siddiquee, Mian Haamed Meraj, Nazir Chohan, Farrukh Javed Moon and other office bearers of Unity Group also got a lead and won many seats of district and towns of Lahore by defeating groups. Leaders and workers of PTI gave a memorable reception to Aleem Khan by dancing and distributing sweets outside the PTI Upper Mall Office.
Addressing the occasion, Abdul Aleem Khan said that once again Imran Khan had shown that he was a man of word and intra-party elections would further strengthen the party and increase the confidence of common men on PTI. He said that he himself would visit the residences of those who had been defeated and would offer full cooperation in the larger interest of the party. He said that success of Unity Group was a proof of it that no one was new or old in the party and everyone was united to achieve the goal set by Imran Khan. “Masses will also make an upset in the coming general elections by giving mandate to PTI,” he said.
Other leaders, including Jamshaid Iqbal Cheema, Abdur Rasheed Bhatti and Haamed Meraj also addressed the occasion and said that workers of PTI had placed their trust in Abdul Aleem Khan and he would come up to the expectations of the voters. Nasrullah Moghal, Naseem Zohra, Sheikh Aamer, Sheikh Mujeeb Ullah and a number of workers were present on this occasion and gave a warm welcome to Abdul Aleem Khan and his companions.