Fida Muhammad. PHOTO: FILE
Fida, who is the brother of Senator Nisar Khan, joined PTI after having a meeting with Imran Khan at his residence Bani Gala in Islamabad. Fida called the leap “a move inspired by PTI’s slogan of change and by the PML-N’s lack of interest in K-P.”
Fida joined PML-N in 2002 and has contested the National Assembly seat NA-35 of Malakand in the general elections. Fida was also the nazim—an independent candidate—of the district in the local government during the Musharraf regime.
“We took the decision keeping in mind public demand. People want change and like the new thinking which the PTI has,” said Fida, explaining the reasons behind his decision. “There is a frustration in the public because the PML-N has put the needs of K-P on the backburner.”
He added, “People want development schemes but even though the federal government is in the PML-N’s hands, the party is not showing any inclination in addressing the needs or grievances of the region; that’s why the party is in a downwards spiral in K-P.”
Fida said he could not remain with the PML-N despite the pressure from Nisar, who represents PML-N in the Upper House. “Everyone has their own thinking and we decided what we thought is best for the people of our province.”
Fida’s young brother Bakhtiar Khan told The Express Tribune six former nazims of Malakand union councils from Pakistan Peoples Party and Awami National Party were also in the meeting with Imran Khan and have announced that they are joining PTI. Mohammad Ibrahim of ANP and a former nazim from Sakhakot, PPP’s Pir Zahir Shah, Dargai naib nazim Riaz Terhil, former naib nazim Raziq Shah, PML-N Dargai general secretary Gul Zaman, PML-N Sakhakot president Ibrahim Khan, PML-N Member Provincial Council Haji Mohammad Tariq, former PML-Q Dargai president Haji Naseem Gul, PPP Dargai general secretary Bacha Rahim Advocate, PML-N Batkhela youth wing president Zar Nosh and PPP activists Bacha Shirin Advocate and Israr Khan joined the PTI at the meeting.
PML-N in Bannu
PML-N workers in Bannu intend to demand special incentives from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his expected visit to the provincial capital on Wednesday.
Speaking at a party meeting held at Pir Jee House in Bannu on Sunday, PML-N workers said its new set of demands will ensure the party wins upcoming local bodies’ elections.
According to the party workers, the PML-N has been in power in the country for nearly two years now.
The PML-N workers said this central leadership’s apathy could create dissatisfaction among them. They vowed to reconcile all party workers who are dissatisfied with central leadership’s attitude and make a clean sweep in the local government elections.
Participants said PML-N’s provincial leadership had informed the central leadership about the reservations of its workers. As a result, the prime minister had decided to visit Peshawar and meet party workers at Governor House.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2015.
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