PTI faces potential defections

Three PTI leaders 'go missing', cut ties with main leadership amid concerns of horse-trading

ISLAMABAD:

As the government pulls out all the stops to secure opposition votes for a constitutional amendment, alarm bells are ringing within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over concerns that some independent lawmakers might switch allegiances.

Amid rising concerns that the Supreme Court's 63-A review could throw open the floodgates for horse trading, sources within the party raise red flags that some independent lawmakers might throw their weight behind the ruling coalition's amendment.

PTI sources have raised eyebrows at the increasing likelihood of independent members siding with the 26th constitutional amendment, causing tensions to boil as three party members seem to have cut ties with the leadership.

Reports suggest that three National Assembly members have seemingly vanished from the radar amid the ongoing talks about constitutional changes.

Insiders revealed a breakdown in communication between PTI leadership and independent candidate Aurangzeb Khan Khichi from NA-59.

Besides, sources revealed that independent candidate Usman Ali from Sahiwal has also gone dark on the PTI leadership, intensifying worries about party cohesion during the critical juncture.

PTI insiders expressed concerns over Zahoor Qureshi, who they claim has been evasive with the leadership, citing that he is out of the country while he is reportedly still in Pakistan.

There are growing fears that PTI's independent members might vote in favour of the constitutional amendment.

It's noteworthy that President Asif Ali Zardari has convened separate sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate, where the draft of the 26th constitutional amendment is expected to be presented.

Meanwhile, PTI is contemplating a boycott of the National Assembly session called to discuss the constitutional amendment.

It may be recalled that earlier this month, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari raised concerns over the alleged disappearance of seven PTI MNAs and senators.

In a press conference, the provincial information minister had claimed that the seven PTI parliamentarians have been abducted.

She presented videos purportedly featuring the families and friends of the missing parliamentarians, who allege they have lost contact with their loved ones.

However, she did not present official complaints lodged against the alleged abductions.

The missing PTI parliamentarians include Zain Qureshi - son of Shah Mehmood Qureshi —, Senator Saifullah Abro, Shafqat Hayat Khan, Haji Imtiaz Mandi Bahauddin from Taunsa, Khawaja Sheraz, Javed Iqbal Warraich from Rahim Yar Khan, and Lakhvi from Kasur.