Tug of war: PTI, QWP power struggle intensifies in Charsadda

Tensions escalate as members from various parties join Sherpao’s party

SHABQADAR: The Qaumi Watan Party leadership in Charsadda is at loggerheads with a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA over development work and other matters.

Tension has been rising between the two parties as members of various parties have continually been joining QWP, adding to their political force. The latest of such moves was made by Malik Rahat Sher who left ANP in favour of QWP.

On Saturday, PTI faced another setback when their former member Zahor Khan Umerzai also joined QWP. After this move, PTI’s MPA Muhammad Arif from PK-22 convened a meeting at TMA Shabqadar on Saturday and later issued a statement to media threatening to end the coalition with QWP in Charsadda. The meeting was attended by PTI district and tehsil members.

Almost a year after QWP rejoined the coalition, most of the development projects announced by QWP have been confined to NA-8, Shabqadar, QWP leader Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao’s home constituency.

The irrigation department, under Sikandar Hayat Sherpao has been given a large chunk of a Rs100 million fund, announced by Aftab Ahmad, on Friday for irrigation and the construction of roads and bridges in Shabqadar.

Muhammad Arif Ahmadzai, the district development committee chairperson, told The Express Tribune party members have strong reservations about the coalition with QWP.

Adviser to CM on Technical Education Arshad Khan Umerzai told The Express Tribune, “We have not interfered in PTI constituencies. We have cordial relations with PTI in the province as well as in Charsadda. Our district and tehsil members are working under a framework set by our coalition partners in the district.”

He added, “Being an elected MNA from NA 8, Aftab Ahmad has the right to inaugurate such schemes in his constituency, as he has to be in touch with the masses in the area.”

He said Sikandar Hayat has the right to use his fund in his area. Insider reports from PTI suggest that the power struggle started when Malik Rahat Sher joined QWP after previously promising to join PTI.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2016.