LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, once a bit-player in national politics, is rapidly gaining stature in the lead up to the 2013 elections. A faction of the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid Likeminded group – itself a dissident group that split from the main PML-Q – is likely to join forces with the PTI in coming days, sources told The Express Tribune.
The faction includes in its midst shrewd politicians like Hamid Nasir Chattha, Khurshid Kasuri, Mian Asif, Chaudhry Amir Hussain Gujjar, Nasrullah Dareeshak, Afzal Sahi and Gohar Ayub Khan.
Senior leaders of the likeminded group met in Lahore on Tuesday where they decided to forge an alliance with the PTI in the next election. They will meet PTI chief Imran Khan one last time either on Wednesday (today) or Thursday (tomorrow) to finalise the makeup of such an alliance. Sources said that the details of an alliance had been all but agreed upon and only a final announcement remained.
(Read: Deciding on the govt’s fate: Q-League’s split decision)
PTI spokesman Omer Sarfraz Cheema confirmed that the PML-Q Likeminded faction would be meeting with Imran over the next couple of days, but provided no further details.
Mian Asif also confirmed to The Express Tribune that negotiations were ongoing with the PTI and provided more names of the group that had decided to forge an alliance with the former cricketer’s party. Riaz Fatiana, Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai, and Nisar Muhammad Khan from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were among the names he mentioned.
The decision to split away from the dissident faction was made after several members of PML-Q Likeminded felt annoyed with their leadership’s decision to join the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N). Many were particularly irked by the fact that the Likeminded leadership had secured PML-N electoral nominations for themselves and not having catered to the interest of the group as a whole.
The PML-N, meanwhile, has been joined by the rest of the PML-Q Likeminded in addition to Pakistan Peoples Party dissident Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a former foreign minister, as well as his supporters.
Sources said that some Likeminded leaders – such as Kasuri, Dareshak, and Chattha – had advocated a grand right-wing alliance similar to the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad of the late 1980s and early 1990s, inviting the Jamaat-e-Islami to join them in a coalition with the PTI.
It appears that none of the four senators in the Likeminded faction are yet part of the push to join an alliance with the PTI. Senators Humayun Akhtar, Saleem Saifullah and Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi are still engaged in talks with PML-N’s Senator Ishaq Dar for a possible tie-up between those two groups.
(Read: PML-N attempts to recapture lost ground)
It appears that the PML-N is also picking and choosing which members of the PML-Q Likeminded faction it wants to welcome back into the fold. (Most PML-Q members were originally part of the PML-N before having been ‘persuaded’ by former president Pervez Musharraf to join his custom-made party.)
Sources said that the PML-N has already made a deal with some PML-Q Likeminded members such as Kashmala Tariq from Punjab and Arbab Ghulam Rahim and his supporters from Sindh. The PML-N appears disinterested in making deals with others in the party.
Mian Asif, meanwhile, had also been holding talks with Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rasheed (another dissident from the PML-Q) on Monday to invite him into the alliance with the PTI, but Rasheed is reportedly holding out for a deal with the Sharif family.
Asif expects the Likeminded-PTI alliance to give the Sharif’s PML-N a tough time in Punjab, particularly in their heartland of Lahore.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2011.
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I would evaluate IK and his PTI based on their delivery on their agenda.
I think Imran Khan is most credible, compared to Zardari/Nawaz status quo that has been tried numerous times in the recent past.
I want to try a change. Especially now that we have a more credible optioon available.
Whatever channel he adopts to bring about this change, I will fully support IK and stand behind him. Whatever alliance and who ever is admitted to party. As long as IK can deliver on his promise of change and insaf.
Love tayyab
if people like ch afzal Sahi join PTI it would definitely strengthen party's politics of punjab. he is an honest person as far as i know. however the authenticity of the news is unkonown.
Well it's 35 days after the publishing of this report and nothing such has happened.Why are they fooling the people????
Well the question still remains that why are the senior pro's of the PML-Q not leaving their party and going and joining the better ones? What's hindering them from doing so? The bigger question is that why aren't the PTI or other parties not trying to break them up? Secondly,the PML-N shouldn't hire people like Mr Arbab Ghulam Rahim.He's a hated person in Sindh.Come on man!
Imran Khan is the only hope for Pakistan. The land of demogoguery and fuedal lords. Hope he makes it!
Kaptan Khan is another storm in the tea cup .errr ooooooops in the coffee cup . An eye opener for his net warriors , PTI didnot even bother to participate in the bye elections , where all the seats were won by PPP and Nawaz group .The same is anticipated in the upcoming election .
As expected. Imran Khan has shown his true colours.
PTI should make alliance with PMLQ to damage the vote bank of PMLN and PPP.
Imran Khan is the only hope left for Pakistan and if he is talking with other parties it is a good sign after all he will be the PM and will turn the incompetent and lazy people around........
media is becoming a rumor mill. defaming IK.
and diverting people's attention from real issues.
i was actually quite distressed by such poor reporting by tribune. i was just now beginning to form a good opinion about this paper.
shame on u express tribune for spreading lies... Omar cheema, today, has denied any such move.....
Imran khan is a good politician that's why he got a huge support from public particularly teenagers in pakistan. so i think he can better decide then us that what he have to do for next elections. alliance just doesn't mean that he is also gonna be like other political devils in pakistan.once trust on imran khan. Inshallah he will do what will be in favour of pakistan and public as-well.
Imran Khan needs electable people in PTI. Though we think that the diverted politician have lesser credibility but we should also seek a positive feature. At least they will follow IK rather than he followed them for gaining some sort of power. Ideology is a leader driven phenomena and if new comers in PTI follow IK ideology then its a great success for those who support IK. Ultimately, ever party needs people on election day and no one can stop anyone to cast his/her vote and difference of votes will be resulted either winning or losing position. Nation should believe in Imran Khan with this hope that he will not compromise on the nation's trust and benefits.
I was initially supporting PTI but now I think IMRAN Khan is also looking for PML Q lotas and his party members are contacting them. Imran Khan, if this is the criteria then I am sorry , you are on wrong path. Why Imran Khan is only targeting PML N while couldn't hear about MQM and PPP and PML Q. This shows either he is following all other politicians or backed by ISI.
This is exactly why I wouldn't vote Imran Khan because if I do, I would in fact waste my vote and help PPP come back in the power. He is a flip flopper from day one. His political infancy and inexperience will only help PPP. Please wake up Imran Khan. The only natural ally you could have is Nawaz Shareef, I don't know why on earth are you against him. If you are trying to become a bigger leader than him than you need a reality check? Come the next elections, your opponents will rip your past off and you will have no words for it like always. So, be sensible and help the nation not hurt the nation.
Guys
Just imagine for a second, Khan plans to contest the elections all by himself w/o alliances and at best takes the urban areas by storm but lose in the rural territory hence sit in the opposition for another 5 years and let the status quo forge another alliance to destruct.. will that be more acceptable than an attempt to make sure that IK comes into power and takes his reforms through alliance and lead his agenda with the youth? let him do his job if he is getting a chance.
Thanks
GREAT MOVE.... This will just pawn PMLN
PMLN was trying to buy other parties member where as these ppl are asking PTI for alliance them self
KEEP IT UP IMRAN KHAN
THEY ARE NOT JOINING PTI its about Alliance with them.
SO RIGHT MOVE BY IMRAN KHAN AND PTI
What System PTI ill be implementing to resolve all the problems of Pakistan ? through Democracy? The same system which our past leaders were implementing and delivering best results ?
Imran khan should be in power by hook or by crook otherwise pakistan is doomed. these crocodiles will never leave us unless Imran khan is there to save this country.
I am strickly against it and I and other people agree with me will stop supporting Imran Khan and also his all effoprts regarding corruption will be under the very big question mark that the people who has been very very worst for Pakistan during and after Musharaf can not work honestly and if they get some other offer will change their God. We people like Imran Khan because he is against all the tasted politicians and if he get their suport then it means he is also fighting for his Government not for surving nation. I never any how favour this Patch up...
Yesterday in a public meeting Imran Khan sought 200 honest citizens to lead change in Pakistan. If after 15 years of politics he cannot find 200 honest people to lead change no wonder he is seeking the suport of turncoats and establisment baked politicians. If he continues to defy or contradict his self-proclaimed role of bringing revolution in Pakistan his much trumpeted tsunami may in fact turn out to be a strom in a tea cup.
People who are commenting against Imran to join hands with other factions should consider this fact that PTI alone can not do much as yet. It has to make alliances to come in to the mainstream politics.
Please support him in his cause. One day will come that these buggers could be thrown out of the politics... but for now we do need them for a while....
I think good move, it is the need of the hour, he has to have some like minded right groups on his side at least for the first elections and then he get get strength in the next one.....
That will be fantastic to have some clean persons from PMLQ as well. Inqalab is just a foot step ahead, everyone take that step into revolution...
Dear Imran,
U will loose lots of support by combining with Musharaf and other corrupt poloticians. To your part we look as ray of hope for the country which will disappreat if you are not careful who to make allinace with or who to let in this party.
Thanks
Don't get confused ... Alliance for elections doesnt mean joining party or agenda. This is political alliance to boot out PPP & PMLN
Hey you guys for God sake...If some clear politicians want to join PTI then whats wrong in it?? I mean we have example of our Quaid who first served in Congress & then joined AIML....so plzz don't stop supporting IK...wake up & realize, he is the last hope
what? PML-Q? Noooooooooooooooooooooo........
Its a good decision to take the CLEANER and reputed politicians into the party to strengthen it!! As long as heI.Khan dont shake hands with the famous corrupt people, im happy about such moves!
@Alam: Facebook is not called masses.
Wasnt the PML-Q a creation of Pervez Musharraf who destroyed the constitution and attacked the judiciary of Pakistan? What a joke Imran Khan and his principled PTI is!!!
Coalition has to be done IK alone can't make the government, but khan should make alliance on terms and conditions otherwise no way JI and PTI should make coalition and other political persons should join them but on one term that they will be serving public and Pakistan without their interests. Imran Khan we are with you. vote for Imran Khan.
Same products now looking for new brand name....... lotacristic politics of Pakistan. if imran is sincere with Pakistan please do not join hands with these lota's. I found one party who never did this caz its roots were in the common people is MQM. Just the brand positioning is not right.
All political parties are corrupt we all know it but they all have a fraction of clean people, PTI should definitely pick them up because they can work better under a clean & strong leadership of Imran Khan. So we need to trust our leadership...I have a belief in IMRAN KHAN!!! Insha'Allah he won't let us down.
PTI + JI = 60% seats in KP PTI + JI + PML-Q (partial like minded members) = 25% seats in Punjab PTI + JI + PML-F = 10% seats in Sind PTI + JI = 10% seats in Baluchistan
imran is my leader!
This is good for PTI. Imran Khan has now realized that you cannot win elections without alliances. As far as PTI picks non corrupt people for next election as allies we should have no objection.
Let's make one thing very clear. IK is not going to entertain any one with a dubious past. Thats a guarantee. You can trust the man. He keeps his word. Remember his boycott of the 2008 farce?
Its just media hype to malign him. Look at Geo conjecturing on a possible alliance with Musharraf. Would anyone in his right mind even think about it considering the image Musharraf has in general public? Its all part of a campaign to show to the masses that he is no different. But all of us know he is different.We may not agree with him all the times but one thing we are damn sure about is his sincerity.
He had ample chances to do this kind of power politics during the last fifteen years of his struggle. Why would he do it now when he is garnering genuine grass root support in the masses?
I would trust him rather these abstract reports.
Excellent move. Dynamics of constituency based politics in Pakistan, demands such alliances. Otherwise, Imran Khan would become other Asghar Khan.
alright Mr. Khan, what exactly do you mean by "Likeminded" ? if they were likeminded in the sense that we want them to be.. PML Q wouldn't be the place they will be at..
Raj, no news yet. We all have crossed our fingers though. PTI fans were hoping for Shah Mehmood Qureshi's join too but the guy joined PML-N lately. Keeping this in mind, saying anything about Marvi Memon will be too early and baseless.
On one side every body talks about this fact that he doesnt have any support. He needs people to get into the House. Problem is that in our rural areas these people have string hold. Do you think people in our villages gona give vote to anybody with Khan without any political Career? I am from that background and i can bet on it that guy is not gona get any votes. These Caste systems are pretty much dominant in our rural areas. Well lets see how is Khan going to hold these Veterans.
There is a news in today's papers that PTI and Mush are talking about election alliance. Politics makes strange bedfellows. PTI cannot and would not run elections on their own. They would need a lot of support from the old establishment people. This is not a statement against PTI but an educated guess.
This shows how meaningful and material PTI has become. Once totally ignored, now a rising massive force on political arena. As long as they declare their assets and have remained clean of corruption scandals, there is no harm in accepting them. PTI will evetually be the choice of everyone ...
What is the news of Marvi Memon joining PTI. She is the only worthy one whom Imran should consider.
Imran, we were expecting you to be working for a revolution, instead you are entering traditional Pakistani Politics. With this merger, PML-Q faction will gain, you will lose.
They are just upping their price. PML-N will soon spring into action, promising them what not. Lets not take this transaction with PTI too seriously.
I think it better to make alliance with JI instead of PML-Q.
Its not the matter of Death or live. Let trust Imran Khan's PTI and try them into Government.
These politicians are corrupt/ seasoned. They only need to be led to a better way..
So far PTI has not been polluted with dirty politicians which means that Imran Khan alone deserves the political escalation of the party. Besides, it is a good sign that seasoned politicians now want to be a part of PTI, accepting or rejecting them is IK's prerogative. Let us trust this man.
Nice....Tribune carries this story, The News has a story on Imran-Musharraf alliance, the Nation has a story on 'Shadowy pasts of PTI members'....
It seems the battle has begun, concerted effort to throw dirt at the only hope for Pakistan.
i trust on imran khan, what he doing is just for better pakistan.An alliance with pmlq leader is not bad becoz they have to show their assets before contesting.
Khursheed Kusuri is one of my favorite politicians. PTI should definitely pick him up.and plz KK no alliances, just join PTI and a full fledged member.
nice move.. These are strong candidates,well respected in their constituancies..their support is needed to make pti more than a facebook party.. And for those who r criticizing, u have no sense of electoral politics i guess
@Ch Allah Daad: Who is trustworthy in Pakistan? Angles only live in heaven not on earth, when we do comparison of IK with others there is hell of diffrence, no matter if being a human has some deficiency.
VOTE FOR CHANGE, VOTE FOR PTI.
It does not mean that these politicians are joining PTI but the electoral alliance. I dont see any harm in such alliances, however, if this alliance succed to get government then serious check on corruption is required.
Dear Imran Khan, we understand that u need some sort of alliance to strengthen your political party for the next elections. But at the same time anyone bearing any corruption case against his name must not be entertained, please.
Handlers of both PTI and PML-Q are the same. So much for the revolution. Except the teenagers of PTI, everyone knows how leaders have been propped up in Pakistan to bring 'change'
From Gohar Ayub Khan to PML-Q turncoats, finally PTI and Imran Khan has connections starting from Dictator Ayub Khan to Mush, congratulations! A few more mullah in PTI and it would be a perfectly acceptable party to the establishment.
As long as they don't pick up the corrupt lot, this appears to be a good sign for PTI.
Considering the culture of constituency politics prevalent in Pakistan, it is a right political move by Imran to ally with as many traditional and relatively cleaner political groups as possible but he has to maintain this very delicate balance between being principled and being pragmatic.
Admittedly he has a very tough job at hand and he may not be able to keep the more radical of his supporters satisfied. But he should keep working at developing the right mix to contest the next elections and hope for the best. Its Now or Never.
Another reason not to trust Imran Khan.
IMRAN KHAN: Please say NO to these mousumi lotas.....! If you let these left alone people to join in then it means you are no more different to others; and prove in time that you can shake hand with anyone for your first turn...