PTI US chapter's intra-party elections in jeopardy as rifts emerge

Elections postponed after one of the panelists gets stay order from New York court over 'illegitimate voter-list'

ISLAMABAD: The intra-party elections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) United States chapter have been postponed after one of the panelists cast serious doubts over the legitimacy of the voter-list, Roznama Express has learnt.

Amjad Nawaz, heading one of the panels, claimed that the list consisted names of many individuals whose names were not verifiable. Pervez Riaz, another member of the party, is heading the second panel.

A source privy to the development said Nawaz had approached a court in New York and managed to get a stay order to halt the elections.

In the petition, he stated that the current structure of the party's US chapter would harm PTI's credentials as the former was exploiting its powers.

Following the development, the source added, PTI international chapters election commission has postponed the elections.

The insider also said the dissident had levelled serious allegations against the current structure of the PTI US that had prepared the voter-list. According to him, the party had not only included voters with fake whereabouts, but was also involved in money laundering.



When contacted, Secretary Office of International Chapter PTI Aizaz Asif Malik confirmed that Nawaz had indeed approached the court to get his reservations addressed.

He also said the party had a certain forum in place and that it was pursuing Nawaz to have him express his grievances.

The insider added that Malik had asked Nawaz to withdraw his petition, urging an out-of-court settlement.

Stern opposition

The source said that there are 3,400 members in the voters-list and most of them are willing to support Pervez Riaz and another member Khawar Baig.

Within the party, he added, it is believed that Nawaz is not loyal to the party as he has the support of former PTI president Javed Hashmi. This, they said, is the reason that he is creating hurdles in the elections.

Nawaz was not available for a comment despite repeated attempts.