Two splinter groups emerge from PTI

Heads of new factions allege Imran has become a tool of mafias.

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has become a tool of the land mafia, drug mafia and the Jewish lobby, Akhtar Iqbal Dar, a member of the PTI central media committee alleged on Thursday.

With that in mind, Dar announced the formation of a new faction of the party, the PTI Nazriati (Ideological).

As a result of Imran’s change in attitude, some veteran activists of the PTI were being forced to take this drastic step, Dar stressed.

Accompanied by Rana Usama, head of the Tehreek-i-Insaf (Awami) and other members of the party, Dar announced the decision at the Lahore Press Club.

While Pakistanis, particularly the younger generation, view the PTI as “a symbol of positive change”, in truth, after the party’s Lahore rally, the PTI converted to a party of “Makhdooms, Legharis, Waderas, looters, turncoats and timeservers”, Dar said.

People cannot be fooled much longer, Dar said, adding that those quoting examples of Bhutto winning the elections “even if a party ticket was awarded to a tree” would soon see that this would be false in Imran’s case.

If Imran’s own children and his properties are abroad, why would he bring a revolution out here? Dar inquired.

Those who were truly committed to the party have been given a backseat, PTI-Awami’s Usama said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2012.