Sticking together: Disgruntled PTI MPAs lobby for deputy speaker’s post

Have reportedly agreed to support Zahid Durrani for the seat.


Umer Farooq October 25, 2014

PESHAWAR:


Disgruntled provincial lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf reportedly want the deputy speaker’s seat to be filed by someone among them.


The deputy speaker’s post fell vacant after Imtiaz Shahid was appointed as a member of the cabinet. Sources said the disgruntled MPAs have now forged a consensus to suggest MPA Zahid Durrani for the seat.

According to insiders privy with the matter, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has also been taken into confidence. “We are in contact with other MPAs also and a few have agreed on supporting Durrani, but they cannot say so publically, fearing it would have an adverse affect on their relationship with Khattak,” one of the disgruntled MPAs told The Express Tribune. This is because even MPAs who do not get along with Khattak have pledged their support for Durrani.

The MPA, however, insisted Durrani has not been nominated as a member of the dissident group, but as a member of the provincial assembly.

Another MPA said Durrani hails from Mardan and so it was necessary to take Minister for Education Atif Khan onboard, a process that he claimed has already been initiated.

When contacted, Durrani confirmed a number of PTI MPAs have suggested his name, adding the chief minister has also been informed. However, he clarified Khattak’s decision will be taken as the final word.

“We don’t have any personal gains [in mind]. If the chief minister considers me for the post, I will accept it. If he does not, we will never make it into an issue,” said Durrani, claiming they would never compromise on issues pertaining to their constituencies, but were willing to sacrifice personal gains.

Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani could not be reached despite several attempts. However, Special Assistant to CM on Environment Syed Muhammad Ishtiaq said the government was still searching for someone who has firm command over the law.

“We have a number of options, but we have not finalised any name. The chief minister is expected to announce a name on Monday or Tuesday,” added Ishtiaq.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2014.

COMMENTS (2)

Raghu | 9 years ago | Reply

Good Going!

Roni | 9 years ago | Reply

You are a ray of hope against the self-appointed lifetime chief of party. Differences of opinion is the basis of democracy and healthy society.

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