Two more PTI leaders jump the ship

• Former MNA Ahmed Raza Maneka says PTI chief never meets local leaders
• MPA Wahijuz Zaman joins PML-Q, says left PTI because party leaders didn’t listen to him

PAKPATTAN/LAHORE: Former MNA Ahmed Raza Maneka and a lawmaker in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial assembly Wajihuz Zaman Khan on Saturday called it quits with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) while expressing reservations with the leadership.

Speaking at a news conference in Pakpattan, Ahmed Raza Maneka said, “I am bidding farewell to PTI and I do not want to serve as a PTI worker anymore.”

Maneka, who was serving as the president of party’s Pakpattan chapter, expressed his reservation with the leadership of the party saying that PTI Chairman Imran Khan would never meet any local leader whenever he would come to Pakpattan.

“The leadership is not aware of its team,” the former MNA added.

He further stated that other local leaders of the party have also decided to resign.

The defecting party leader said that he would definitely contest the elections and would give his plan of action in a few days.

Ahmed Raza is the son of former federal minister Mian Ghulam Muhammad Maneka and has served as MNA from 2002-2007, and was also the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Cabinet during his tenure.

On the other hand, MPA Wajih-uz-Zaman Khan, who was recently a part of PTI, and his allies met Chaudhry Shujaat at his residence and announced to join PML-Q.

Wajih was elected from Mansehra on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket but was expelled from the party in 2015 on disciplinary grounds. The MPA, however, claimed that he had voluntarily left the party one-and-a-half year ago as party leaders didn’t listen to him.

The disgruntled leader then joined the PTI, but part ways with the party on Saturday saying, “No PTI representative in KP is following the party’s ideology.” He lamented, “Today, people like Amir Liaquat are joining PTI.”

Explaining his reason for quitting the parties, Wajih-uz-Zaman said that he never got a chance to prove himself in PML-N or PTI. “When I was in PML-N, Nawaz Sharif didn’t shake hands with me for three years,” he said.

Regarding the PTI chief, the MPA said, “Imran Khan doesn’t respect anyone but himself.”

Further speaking to the media on the occasion, Chaudhry Shujaat said, “Anyone who is a Pakistani is a member of PML-Q.”

Stating that Wajih-uz-Zaman’s mother was a PML-Q senator, Shujaat said, “Wajih is and always was a part of Muslim League.”

He further shared that his book is being launched next week and he has “written nothing but truth in it”.

Earlier this month, musician Salman Ahmed had announced on Twitter that he will no longer be supporting the PTI. Soon after though, he reaffirmed his support for Imran.

Ahmed had expressed disappointment over TV anchor Amir Liaquat joining the party, but then said, “Although I’ve expressed my deep disappointment over Amir Liaquat, the only real option for 2018 election is still Imran Khan and naya Pakistan.”

Many PTI supporters withdrew their support for the party after the news of TV host and former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) member Amir Liaquat joining the party.

Adil Ansari, a part of PTI’s social media team, had also announced that he would no longer be a part of the political party.