Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister-designate Pervez Khattak is carefully framing strategies for the formation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf government in the province, and has so far succeeded in mustering support of four of the 14 independent MPAs and three political groups.
With the joining of the four independents, the PTI has become a major political group with 39 members against 99 general seats, while the Qaumi Watan Party with eight seats, Jamaat-e-Islami with nine and Awami Jamhoori Ittehad-Swabi group with three seats have announced support for Khattak.
He is in the lead with 57 supporters, and the strength could rise to 65 when the notification of MPs on reserve seats is issued.
Two MPAs from the Pakistan People’s Party and one from the All Pakistan Muslim League are also extending support to Khattak. However, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, the PML-N and the Awami National Party will remain on the opposition benches in the provincial assembly.
Highly-placed sources told Pakistan Today that Khattak had decided to halt talks with a group of nine independents.
The group of nine independents has demanded three ministerial portfolios along with one adviser’s post and chairmanship of the District Advisory Committees. However, Khattak has so far denied the demands.
According to PTI sources, Israrullah Khan Gandhapur suggested Khattak go for contacts with all independent MPAs individually.
Khattak seems to be following the advice. He earlier offered the law portfolio to Gandhapur, who got elected to the provincial assembly from Dera Ismail Khan for the third consecutive time.
But Khattak is reluctant in honouring the offer, as he has already attained the required strength to form government.
The PTI leadership offered three ministerial portfolios to QWP and the JI and a ministry to the Swabi group.
Similarly, Khattak is mulling adjusting some independents in the cabinet for ensuring representation of people from almost 25 districts of the province.
After pleasing allies and independents with ministries, Khattak is likely to induct five PTI MPAs as ministers and advisers in the provincial cabinet.
The PTI parliamentary party meeting however is yet to be held.