Interim government: PPP leader, K-P chief minister likely to hold parley for caretaker setup

“Journalists write whatever they like and these reports are not correct,” says Saifullah.

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) provincial president Anwar Saifullah Khan on Thursday suggested the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti to hold a meeting to discuss the interim setup in the province.

Talking to reporters at his residence, Saifullah said he would like to hold a meeting with Hoti in order to discuss and share names for the caretaker chief minister. Saifullah, however, did not disclose the names.

He said Hoti also had a discussion with K-P Assembly’s Opposition Leader Akram Khan Durrani and shared names with him. “We will hold further discussions on the matter. Everyone will know the caretaker chief minister within a week,” he added.

Saifullah rubbished reports of dissension within the party ranks and said the PPP remains united in K-P under his leadership. “Journalists write whatever they like and these reports are not correct.”

The PPP will not opt for a grand seat adjustment across the province in the upcoming general elections, and any electoral agreement will be on a small scale. “We have strong candidates who can win elections,” he said.

PPP’s district wings have yet to decide on three candidates. Saifullah said there are no differences over allotting seats.

“It is the right of every worker to ask for a party ticket. However, once the party’s parliamentary board awards the tickets, everyone must abide by the decision,” he said, adding those who do not will face disciplinary action. “Decisions will not be made behind closed doors and district chapters will be included in the decision making process.”

Commenting on the popularity of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in K-P, Saifullah said PPP had the largest share of votes in the 2008 elections and admitted any party in power has a comparative disadvantage in public popularity.

Once elections are announced, PPP workers will come out and work hard to win the election. “We will give everyone a surprise,” he added.

Saifullah also downplayed reports of differences with senior party leaders and federal communication minister Arbab Alamgir over allotting the PK-5 seat to Alamgir’s cousin, Arbab Arif.

Saifullah said the party will award Liaqat Ali Gillani a ticket for NA-6 (Nowshera). Gillani, who was earlier PML-N’s district vice president of Nowshera, announced he will join the PPP unconditionally. Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Libas Khan has also announced his decision to join the PPP.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2013.