Despite denials coming from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Information Secretary Shireen Mazari about the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) getting the education portfolio in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), the JI is adamant that Imran Khan had committed the Education Ministry to the party.
JI General Secretary Liaqat Baloch told Pakistan Today that the meeting between the JI leadership and Imran Khan on Wednesday evening was very “cordial” and an “understanding” had been reached amongst the leadership of the two parties.
“Education and development portfolios have been agreed upon between the two sides to be given to the JI, while it is now the PTI leadership’s responsibility to fulfil their side of the bargain,” Baloch said.
On Mazari’s denial, he said the PTI information secretary and other low-tier leadership are not included in high-profile meetings where actual decisions are taken.
Many across the country were disturbed by what many termed a “shocking” development of handing over the education portfolio to the JI. The importance of education has become manifold after the devolution of the subject to the provinces.
A critic said, “Education portfolio was handed over to the JI by Gen Ziaul Haq previously and now it is being done by the PTI, making it pretty obvious the leanings of the party advocating a ‘Naya Pakistan’.”
Another critic on Twitter said that with the JI in control of education, it was “Gaya Pakistan” instead of “Naya Pakistan”.
“The party that agreed to women not voting in 13 districts in KP has been given the chance to govern the education policy. It is just the tip of the iceberg, while things will unfold further with the passage of time,” he added.
Mazari’s denial came after the news about the meeting and the decision of giving the Education Ministry to JI was published.
In a Tweet, the PTI leader wrote, “Let me state officially that PTI is not handing Education Ministry to any coalition partner!”
Mazari, however, stuck to her stance expressed on Twitter, saying they “are not giving Education [Ministry] to them [JI]”.
To a question, she said this was the party position conveyed to her by Imran Khan.