Unsuccessful PTI ticket aspirants decry ‘injustice’

Women candidates claim reserved seat tickets were handed to wives of influentials

PESHAWAR: Ticket aspirants who found themselves excluded to the party’s plans for the reserved seats have criticised the PTI leadership in the province for ‘unfair’ distribution of tickets and for ignoring hardworking workers from the southern districts of the province.

Led by a former provincial legislator on reserved seat Zarin Zia, a cohort of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) women workers have accused the party of allotting tickets in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to those who have played no role in party affairs over those who have struggled for the party.



Zia, along with other party workers from her native Lakki Marwat, told a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday that the party’s chosen candidates have committed injustice with the party workers.

She held up bangles and a paranda (hair extension accessory) for PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur, claiming that she would have the PTI leader wear them.

“Never welcome Ali Amin Gandapur,” Zia requested PTI voters. “I also request people of Lakki Marwat not to vote him since he has no interest in the development of his district and the wellbeing of the party.”



“Whenever I asked for funds for my constituency, he has refused to do so providing the excuse that there is no sign of the PTI in Laki Marwat so there was no need to provide any funds for the area.”

She claimed that no one in the party had supported her, not even former provincial minister and the party’s provincial president Shah Farman.

“Gandapur has traded the women reserve seats in the Southern area as the party leadership has awarded tickets on his recommendation.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2018.