Tight-lipped: PTI, QWP reject coalition termed a done deal

Leaders of both parties say there is no intention to join hands

SHABQADAR/ PESHAWAR:

Conflicting statements are emerging over the possible alliance between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Qaumi Watan Party in Charsadda district and possibly Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

While PTI’s elected councillors rejected the possibility of joining hands with their rivals, insiders suggested the two parties agreed to a formula which would give QWP the lion’s share of seats in the local government. At the same time, the former coalition partner’s spokesperson claimed the party had not been contacted.

Keeping ANP at bay

In a bid to keep Awami National Party from forming a government in its stronghold of Charsadda, PTI reportedly brokered an interesting power-sharing formula with its staunch foe QWP and coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami, insiders said.

QWP leaders are also suggesting Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl become the fourth partner of the alliance.

Divvying it up

According to insiders, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao’s party will get the lion's share with its nominee leading the district government. QWP has proposed the names of Nazim Zafar Ali Khan, Pir Rehmanullah and Arif Paracha for Charsadda district.

The PTI nominees will be given the offices of town nazims in the tehsils, while JI stalwarts would occupy at least two naib nazim slots. Also, a slot would be given to the JUI-F, provided the religious party pledges its allegiance to the four-party alliance.

Back into the fold?

Besides entering an alliance at the district level, PTI's top leadership reportedly decided to include QWP into the coalition.

Certain senior figures confirmed contact between leaders of both parties. Insiders said QWP's high command, during a meeting on Sunday, discussed the issue and empowered Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao to take the final decision. The meeting earlier constituted a committee which allowed Aftab to make the final call.

The same party’s lawmaker Bakht Baidar had also submitted a writ petition against PTI’s chairman for making false allegations against him after he was removed from his post in the government in 2013.

Denial

QWP’s Spokesperson Tariq Khan told The Express Tribune a nominee for district nazim would be finalised by the party’s core committee. He denied reports that QWP would be joining hands with PTI.

“Our party has suggested to the K-P government to convene an all-parties conference and form a judicial commission to investigate irregularities and alleged rigging in the local government elections,” Tariq said.

He slammed opposition parties for not taking QWP into confidence before their protest against the alleged rigging in LG elections. “Once the opposition parties had everything decided, that’s when they informed QWP, which is unacceptable.” Tariq said.

QWP and JUI-F Charsadda were also united against ANP in the May 2013 and October 2002 general polls.

Friend or foe?

PTI’s elected councillors and other members have also rejected the possible alliance with QWP at the district level. A meeting of PTI was held at the hujra of tehsil council member Zahid Abazai Saturday evening.

A large number of PTI workers from Tangi and Shabqadar participated. The workers were asked to express their thoughts on a possible alliance with QWP. All those who contested on a PTI ticket were strongly opposed to the idea of an alliance with QWP on either the district or provincial levels.

Later in his address, former K-P PTI president and newly-elected district councillor from Matta Mughal Khel UC in Shabqadar, Akbar Khan Matta, rejected any such prospective alliance.

Not contacted

QWP Spokesperson Tariq Khan also rejected reports that QWP would be joining hands with the PTI. “We were not contacted in this regard,” Khan said, adding his party had its own manifesto and would take further steps after consultation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 15^th, 2015.