Most political figures joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) not only lack genuine political credentials but are also the ones who were leftovers and found no future of their own in the mainstream political parties anymore, negating the impression fully that Imran Khan will piece together a genuine political leadership, if not entirely a lot exhibiting revolutionary flavour before the next elections in the country. Another striking feature of the party’s evolution in recent times, especially after its immensely successful Minar-e-Pakistan public meeting, is that the political class is encouraged to join the PTI without any methodology. So anybody is welcome in the party folds, even five or six people from one constituency.
Several politicians have joined the PTI recently and many more are poised to join ranks with Imran Khan in the coming days, including some so-called heavyweights while others are still weighing their political options. But the list of those aligning with the PTI on a regular basis these days hardly inspire confidence among the public that they are capable of making any difference when the chips are down.
Most of them, in fact, are the ones not hopeful of getting a ticket from either the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) or the PML-Quaid. As such, it suits them personally to switch loyalties and find a new political abode and address – and is the PTI, a party very much on the right side of public opinion and forces that matter in the country’s politics.
“They are going to the PTI not out of any deep-rooted commitment to change, but because they are left with no option other than joining the PTI, in some cases dictated by the dictates of local politics,” said a senior politician.
For example Mian Afzal Hayat from Gujrat was almost stranded after the PPP and PML-Q electoral understanding. He expected that the party would support the PPP candidate in the coming elections as part of the agreement reached between the Chaudhrys and the PPP leadership, and he would not be able to get a party ticket. Hence, for him it was time to say goodbye to the PML-Q and make a new start with Imran Khan. Another example is that of Col Anwer from Attock, another PML-Q leader and former provincial minister. He too found it difficult to stay in the party with little prospect of getting a ticket in the next elections in the unfolding political equation in his hometown. He, too, ditched the party to join the PTI. Political analysts say local constituency politics is influencing the decisions of the political leaders weighing their future options.
Interestingly, Imran Khan has not adopted any methodology based on the dynamics of local politics while welcoming the new inductions into the party, no matter what credentials they bring with them, such as known feudals part of every political set up, wedded to the status quo.
More than one person from the same constituency is often invited to join the party. The pitched battles between the supporters of two rival groups were witnessed when two candidates from the same area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa joined PTI and were waiting to meet Imran Khan. Attention is not paid to other local considerations either, such as clan or caste, gathering people representing opposite interest groups. Already the new intake and responsibilities being given to them is causing a great deal of heartburn among the party old timers. The appointment of Shafqat Mahmood – who tried his luck with every party after starting his political journey with the PPP and later joining ranks with a military dictator – as the PTI information secretary, replacing a party diehard Omer Cheema, has created deep ripples in the party. Insiders doubt the commitment and loyalty of such people towards the party.
The political analysts again are not sure if the presence of Shah Mehmood Qureshi, another new addition to the PTI who is an ambitious person by nature, will be an asset or liability in the long run.
However, they are sure that most of the people gathering around Imran Khan would turn out to be liabilities difficult for him to shed come election time.
I don’t think the writer understands and appreciates the dynamics of constitutency politics in Pakistan. Rather than presenting a fact-based assessment of how and why a political party can win an election and what kind of candidates can be fielded in the urban and rural folds and how the PTI leadership can tactfully blend the youth and the veterans in its cadre, he goes on to cite a few names and then dub the party as the dumping ground for the leftovers. News reports in the last couple of days have revealed as to how people like Awais Leghari, his brother Jamal Leghari, Jafar Leghari, Raza Hayat Heraj, Fakhar Imam, Jehangir Tareen, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, Sikander Iqbal Bosan and many many more like them are going to join PTI not because they think they are the leftover but because they know PTI is going to win the next elections. The joining of PTI by Shah Mahmood Qureshi who was courted by PML-N like anything shows what way the wind is blowing and why politically sane people are already correctly sizing up the situation. The writer should be ready to see wide cracks appearing in the PML-N and PPP once the elections approach and the PTI clearly emerges as a frontrunner. This is what characterises Pakistan’s politics and Imran has shown political maturity to realise this because without powers in your hands, you can’t go any far in changing and improving the lot of this country.
My friend do you think that Legharis and many others are good people. One of my friend was appointed as Deputy Commissioner in Jhang. He wanted to open a school. The wife of Fakhar Imam called him, scolded him and told him not to open the school. Imran must keep away from these people. My friend lives in Leghari's constituanacy. he told me that in one of the last election their area was planning to vote others. Mr. Farooq Leghari addressing to a meeting there said that I know what you are planning. I will get your votes even if I have to thrash your bums. Please come out of this illusion that these people will help in any change. Imran's supporters must tell him not to make this blunder. Imarn is replacing his long term workers who supported him through thick and thin and replacing with lotas like Shafqat Mehmood, new information secretary to PTI. Please read his article against IK few years ago. He joined PPP in 1990's, joined Mushraff interim government and then left him after Mushraff brought other politicians forward. Up till few months ago he was praising Nawaz Sharif. These sort of people will destroy PTI.
well i think that the writer of this article has some personnel scores to settle with Imran khan. PTI has become quite popular in the last couple of months and a large number of politicians including some big names are joining the party.
the critics are saying that party should not accept turncoats, but to me it shows the political maturity of Imran khan. it clearly shows Imran khan has come a long way. there are certian realitis in our politics and it emands that some winables candidates should be included in the party.majority of the politicians who have joined Imran khan have good reputation, there is no doubt some people with some dubious reputation. but it is hoped that such people will not be awarded tickets in the next general elections. imran khan is going great gungs and all our best wishes are with him as he is the messiah and saviour of this country.
Constituency polictis nt important than Pakistan politics..his view point can nt be entirely neglected…
N the people joining him r mafad perast n those who kicked out frm pml n ppp..
Plz mr arif hire some ppl who have some polital sense. Writer seems to be so so.
well there is no opposition except PTI, so obviously everyone leaving the govt parties like PMLn and PPP will only see PTI
yeah, they are the party of political leftovers
PTI will field 1000 candidates in next elections. Uptil now only 58 ex MNAs and MPAs from other parties have joined PTI. Majority of PTI candidates in next elections will be new.
Most of the 58 ex MNAs and few who resigned recently are folks who joined after Oct 30. It is very short time after the historic event. I think rush will increase towards PTI in coming few days and weeks. It is start only and hard to say any thing at the dawn as light. This is what BBC reported a month ago http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2011/11/111123…
Lol yes yes sure – Shah Mehmood Qureshi , Grandson of Allama Iqbal , son of Ahmed Faraz , Grandson of Bacha Khan, Ibrar-Ul-Haq, Asghar Khan and long list of new ppl joning PTI and those ticket of holders of ANP , PPP , and PML-N leaving their parties sure were not wanted in any other party lol – u are so silly and this article is crap – whole Pakistan is joining PTI – are we the public leftover too? pathetic article
probably u forget about Mian azhar,Farooq amjad meer, karamat khokhar, ETC from Lahore faiz tamman from chakwal, S A Hameed, shahid ikram binder Gujranwala, Saeed dogar sheikhupura ETC … long list of Siasi Yateem….. Soon u see kASURI and other Musharaf League……Dont Worry
Author and your lovers can keep on voting for family parties PML-N and PPP bu spare us!
I think the article is not crap and is based on facts and figures. I witness some people joining PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa…most are leftovers of mainstream parties like Nawab Khwaja Muhammad Khan, Nawab Aurangzeb Khan, Muazzam Khan, Iftikhar Mhomand, Iftikhar Jhagraa…there are many more.
Exceptions are everywhere…but you must know when such Nawabs and Jagirdars will encircle Imran, he will then be no better than other party leaders..
PTI needs to revisit its policies. I am a supporter of PTI but current situation of the party is not satisfactory.
SO what, yes they are also coming but let them come. PTI wilol do what it want.
I am seeing that near election PTI will be full of cjoice that is several candidates for each seat and the selection will be done by committee under Justice Wajihuddin.
I don't think the writer understands and appreciates the dynamics of constitutency politics in Pakistan. Rather than presenting a fact-based assessment of how and why a political party can win an election and what kind of candidates can be fielded in the urban and rural folds and how the PTI leadership can tactfully blend the youth and the veterans in its cadre, he goes on to cite a few names and then dub the party as the dumping ground for the leftovers. News reports in the last couple of days have revealed as to how people like Awais Leghari, his brother Jamal Leghari, Jafar Leghari, Raza Hayat Heraj, Fakhar Imam, Jehangir Tareen, Ishaq Khan Khakwani, Sikander Iqbal Bosan and many many more like them are going to join PTI not because they think they are the leftover but because they know PTI is going to win the next elections. The joining of PTI by Shah Mahmood Qureshi who was courted by PML-N like anything shows what way the wind is blowing and why politically sane people are already correctly sizing up the situation. The writer should be ready to see wide cracks appearing in the PML-N and PPP once the elections approach and the PTI clearly emerges as a frontrunner. This is what characterises Pakistan's politics and Imran has shown political maturity to realise this because without powers in your hands, you can't go any far in changing and improving the lot of this country.
I was shocked to see Imran Khan in the company of zombies like the sons of a former Chief Justice Sardar Iqbal, the man who was given the task of rigging elections by Ayub Khan to defeat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and than non-entities like Mian Afzal Hayat who has been in every party in power since Ayub Khan's Convention Muslim League. It seems all the remnant of Mush will join TIP with the likes of Khursheed Qasuri etc. Yes TIP has had few good people joining it lately, but they are very few, the majority is zilch.
so good to see all the people defending PTI ……. together we are keep it up
writer you can vote for Maryam Nawaz or Bilawal.. people who follow these kids are mafad parast
Actually in Pakistan always opposition win. There is no opposition other than PTI, so PTI is getting support from every camp.
PTI is part of the Govt. They are supporting eachother to jeep PMLN away.
So the author think that there is amazing honest talent in the PPP and PML. What a complete CNUT you are. These crooks have destroyed the country and you want more!
The same crooks are now joining PTI and you say it a chane? PMLN is the best option because they have the highest number of clean people against all other parties.
Very true, I like this article brilliants .
The author conveyed a message to us. What to do next: This depends on the fact that the members of pml(n,q) and ppp have ruled over the country for last 3 decades.
Each party claimed that they will add to the future of pakistan but they spent their times while making the life of every pakistani miserable. PTI is joined by a number of people which is claimed by the author have no good profile. Yes! they dont have. The once again we are directed to be sincere to ppp and pmls. No, The leader is new and have good intention for the development of the country. "10 hindu ki ek group may dakhel hony say us group ki aims disturb ni hotay badnam to hojata hay per unki activities disturb ni hoty".(i am not a politician and never been through articles
….)
A very well written article. PTI is rapidly conveting into a bunch of rejected politicians.. Is this the revolution???
No one can stop the TSUNAMI…..
The author has lost his mind. He must be drunk or disoriented with drugs when he wrote this article. In stead of writing in the news papers he must consult a doctor for his mental treatment.
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