Internal elections for the posts of city and provincial president and general secretary are due this month. PHOTO: FILE
Will it be unity, ideology or change? Three distinct groups have emerged within the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf ahead of internal party elections, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The ‘Unity Group’ is headed by Ahsan Rasheed, an old friend of party chief Imran Khan; the ‘Ideological Group’ is led by Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, former president of the PTI Lahore chapter; and the ‘Tsunami Change Group’ is led by Saloni Bukhari, a veteran party member.
Each group has established a separate campaign office and is holding meetings to attract support from party workers. Internal elections for the posts of city and provincial president and general secretary are due this month.
The Unity Group’s campaign is being organised by real estate tycoon and former provincial minister Abdul Aleem Khan, who joined the PTI after Imran Khan’s mammoth rally in Lahore in October 2011.
The group has the support of several party heavyweights including PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Quershi, Air Marshal (retired) Shahid Zulifqar, Umer Cheema, Hamaad Azhar, Mian Hamid Meraj, Jamshaid Cheema, Mansha Sindhu, Dr Zarqa, Sardar Arif Rasheed and Abdul Rasheed Bhatti. Many of them have common business interests with Aleem Khan, who will be the group’s candidate for president of the PTI Lahore chapter. This group is thought to have the most money to spend on the elections and the support of many of the newer entrants.
The Ideological Group led by Mehmoodur Rashid has the support of PTI President Javed Hashmi, Zahir Abbas Khokhar, Asghar Gujjar and Dr Atifuddin. It is also believed to be backed by party veterans like Shabbir Sial, Dr Yasmin Rashid and Ejaz Chaudhry. The latter joined the PTI in 2007 and played a pivotal role in the party’s establishment in southern Punjab.
The Tsunami Change Group led by Saloni Bukhari has the backing of pop star Ibrarul Haq, Waleed Iqbal, Umer Zaheer Mir, Sardar Arif Rasheed and Ali Abbas Awan. They are believed to be popular among youth and female supporters of the PTI. Bukhari was earlier a part of the Unity Group.
At a press conference a week ago, Change Group members alleged that some party members were trying to “hijack” the polls using their wealth. Group leaders also claimed to have been approached by both the Unity and Ideological Groups for support in the internal polls, but insisted that they would field their own candidates for each slot.
PTI Information Secretary Shafqat Mehmood said it was natural for groupings to form ahead of internal elections as the party workers had attachments with various leaders. “After intraparty elections, the groupings will dissolve and everyone will get behind Imran Khan for the upcoming general elections,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (25)
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it would have been better if the article could have highlighted the distinct policies each group is carrying so we can better judge on which group to support
God Bless PTI and God Bless IK. At least he is attempting to change status quo. He is the only hope for our great nation.
Imran Khan has worked hard during the last 15 years. He deservs to remain Chairman of the party even after internal party elections. However. it is unnecessary to hold internal prty elections at this stage when general elections are drawing near. He should have nominated candidates for assembly elctions uptil now. He is very late. This will adversely effect PTI position in the national elections. He should concentrate on affiliation with any party particularly JI.I do'nt think he will be able to finish his exercise till elections. Party organisation is very weak as compared with PML(N) who has done all home-work.
None!!
ET - Please make correction. Omer Meer is leader of Tsunami Change Leader. Also correction is required Saloni Bokhari has joined PTI from ANP back in 2007.
Why do i keep reading the headline as PTI Trolls??
@Ricky: if IK leaves his chairmanship for somebody else, you will still find some other excuses.
To all above still ridiculing internal elections, there WILL BE elections for the post of Chairman. Whether someone will contest against him or he remains unopposed is another story.
To all those who complain that IK is the lifetime chairman, i think you wait till the completion of the intra party election.
just a formality to fulfill election commission's condition... reality will not change.
@Ricky,lets stop living in perceptions dude. Give us a break!
"Information Secretary Shafqat Mehmood said “After intraparty elections, the groupings will dissolve and everyone will get behind Imran Khan for the upcoming general elections,”
So it is a foregone conclusion that Imran Khan will remain the chairman. What's the point of the elections then?
I live in U.S. Will come to Pak JUST to give my vote to PTI. Only hope left now. Haters will gonna hate.
This is normal to form panels or groups on the basis of their manifesto they present to members. It has been same all along but you only noticed it in Lahore; tells a lot about your journalism.
Do some people still need reason to vote PTI ?
This is called democracy. And this is change.
Political parties having dynastic hierarchy can't compete with change.
Now this is what I call true democratic mindset :)
True democratic party; its a wise strategy for coming general elections...highly appreciated.
@Ricky: How about you prove your point by joining PTI and going against IK for the election of party chairman? I assure you if PTI stops you from doing it, I will quit PTI. But I know that is not happening. IK is confident enough not to need false protection of dynastic politics type life-time leadership.
Democracy within a Party can only lead towards the Democracy in a Country..
Instead of doing this which has wasted PTI's energy, IK could have focused on making alliances and recruiting candidates who could win for him. In Pak, unfortunately you cant just bring change with vision, you have to dive deep into traditional politics to go to parliament first. I don't want IK not winning less than 50 seats. Please try to maximize seats, every vote will count in next elections.
Despite the elections it is open secret that IK would remain lifelong chief of the party. How can one guess the election results in advance? The chiefs of all political parties in Pakistan never give up as long as they are alive, JI is the only exception.
Only PTI
That is great... I am sure all of these people are ideological workers. Of course it would be Noora elections if there was only one group and one candidate for every position :)... Good going, hoping for a good and fair contest. Money of course should not be allowed to influence and also just because some are rich should not be the basis for calls such as "money is being used to rig". Genuine concerns if any should be put forward to election commission.
Its called real democrtic party, where an ordinary member can be part of elections. The Great Vision of Imran Khan will Lead us to the New Islamic Welfare State of Pakistan, Inshallah. God bless Imran Khan & Pakistan.