Behind closed door, PTI facing intra-party woes
The most apparent example of growing dissent within the party were acts of lobbying and bribery for votes in the intra-party elections by various key members in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh, as observed by PTI members that wished to remain anonymous. It was also observed by members that PTI chief Imran Khan had been unable to curb either of the two issues.
Tarik Ikram, PTI information secretary for Sindh, was the most recent party member to have been removed from his position for attempting to form his own lobby, according to sources.
Nadir Akmal Leghari, president of the Sindh chapter of the PTI, was instrumental in his removal, having the stronger lobby, they added. Ikram was instrumental in arranging Imran Khan’s Hyderabad rally.
Speaking to The Express Tribune Leghari denied any such development saying, “I don’t think Ikram has been sacked, he is working for a think tank, and he himself chose to move from the political limelight.”
Ikram however, denied working for any think tank. “I voluntarily chose to step aside because when I was involved in active politics I saw that I was playing no part in forming the ideology of the party and that is why I left my political position,” he said. Ikram added: “People joining the PTI from other parties, such as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), do politics in their own way. Me and other people who joined the party from a corporate background do not like that kind of ‘street politics’ and therefore chose to step aside,” he said.
Meanwhile, PTI Information Secretary Shafqat Mehmood dismissed the allegations of underhanded lobbying. “The PTI is going to have real elections, in which every member will vote, therefore the contesting candidates are obviously trying to make connections,” he said. PTI elections in Sindh however, that were scheduled for June 30, continue to be postponed while the party reportedly scrambles to increase its scant membership in the province.
Previously, Dr Hassan Raza, PTI’s joint secretary for Sindh was not only removed from his post but also expelled from the party over allegations of corruption in allocation of relief goods that were meant for donation to flood affected areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (73)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732263441-0/BeFunky-collage-(81)1732263441-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732263755-0/musk-(3)1732263755-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732258132-0/BeFunk_§_]__-(26)1732258132-0.jpg "israeli strikes on lebanon kill 47 dozens injured")
1732257537-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(64)1732257537-0-270x192.webp "pm shehbaz sharif aims for 25b it export target in five years")
1726722687-0/Express-Tribune-Web-(9)1726722687-0-270x192.webp "instability hurts progress cm punjab")
facts on PTI
1.they think everybody in Pakistan is incorrect and corrupt except the frustrated PTI supporters. 2.eyes closed on personal life of their leader who for fifty years had been a play boy. 3.no evidence or precedence available on Imran khan to personally handle any corporate entity out of economic difficulty or even managing a business successfully. 4. This man only runs on donation money.
5.no expertise or evidence of handling government organization on any scale.
The PTI people will ruin our life
@Falcon: Nice try. But i wish you could see ebil characters burrying the good characters within pti. Cheers.
There is a difference between running a political party and a cricket team. Imran Khan's own party is pulling him down. I wonder how our ex-captain will solve Pakistan's enormous issues with such a colourful team.
criticism should be constructive, not baseless. i mean seriously, what's the big deal if this happened. whatever is good for pti, we will do that. terming it as intra- party woes hahaha is tribune short of issues or what?
PTI is nothing but a bunch of opportunists having deep roots within the Establishment.
ET is a biased website ... i wrote comments which was not published which means ET is totally one sided towards PMLN.... shame
The Tsunami will first destroy the Lota party itself before it hits the shores of Pakistan.
Waste of an article.
Nobody is perfect. we must have to trust PTI once.
So???. What is the news here? Why ET is getting too excited like sana butcha in her program.
Minor things always happen in the big parties. PTI is one of the largest political party in the country and it is a routine matter to shift positions of the office holders. There is always difference of opinion in individuals. But it is a test of Imran Khan that how he settle the matters within the party? Now nobody but PTI itself can destroy its popularity, Haroon Rasheed says.
These all are the signs of a true democratic party!
PTI Zindabad.
After all that khichri, twas expected.
I'm witness to such issues in the party, but trust me they PTI is gonna get organize itself and its party position, there is no other party in comparison to PTI, all is will say is ALL THE BEST IMRAN KHAN.
The two key points this reporter wished to establish
PTI has internal rifts/disagreements so the party cant control the country PTI chairmen couldn't handle these issues so he cant take care of the country
So in total. PTI is not the right platform to serve the country A CLEAR BIASED REPORT
Guys, this is not about PTI, Imran Khan THIS IS ABOUT PAKISTAN
Tribune had to report it. Jeya bhutto
Hmm this is great news actually. Good for PTI. This is how PTI will be able to choose the best team (by cleaning out the scum). Go PTI and Imran Khan!!
Tsunami with this kind of attitude?
Don't forget the Iftar party fiasco in Lahore which showed the discipline of this Internet party.
I fully agree with Malik. What I cannot understand is that why supporters of PTI cannot tolerate the criticism? I guess they are still "fans" of IK. They must progress towards becoming political workers rather than die hard fans. God knows how many of these fans would go and vote for PTI. If they don't, there is almost no hope for IK as political influence of PML-N and PPP is still almost static.
This is very normal in any political party. I don't see the point behind writing this article. The point to highlight is that PTI is the only political party which is having intra party elections and that too in an election year.This is a true example of democracy within a party.This needs to be appreciated, rather than highlighting lame issues.
@ ET (Saima Malik) You have been self contradictory, at one point you said "Speaking to The Express Tribune Leghari denied any such development saying, “I don’t think Ikram has been sacked, he is working for a think tank, and he himself chose to move from the political limelight.”
and then Mr. Ikram however, endorsed Laghari's statement but you added your personal biasness and said,
"Ikram however, denied working for any think tank. “I voluntarily chose to step aside because when I was involved in active politics I saw that I was playing no part in forming the ideology of the party and that is why I left my political position,” he said.
Can you tell me what is the difference between working for a "think tank" and "forming the ideology of the party". ??? But you guys only needs "Masala" for your paper. A party going for geniun election is first instance in Pakistan will surely face such problems, but instead of appreciating such acts you were trying to pull the legs.
Please be careful next time.
No comments against PMLn on the topic. PTI Supporters dont lose your touch.
It's a natural process and is a sign of maturity. Those involved in courruption are atleast being fired
Intra Party elections is not an easy task. PTI has undertook this challenge while knowing it is a tough task. But we must know that the harder path we cross, we will come more stronger. There will be some people who will create problems but a lot of people are very much working for the change.
The PTI is displaying dictatorial tendency when men like Inamullah Niazi become arrogant, abusive and intolerant to face any criticism of key leaders of PTI. For some Imran may be a cult leader but for him to work in a democracy, he has to have the courage to face criticism and stop behaving as if he alone is an angel, which he is not. He has realtively more credibility because he has never held any public office.
No matter what happens the people and youth of Pakistan are with PTI. May Allah give Imran Khan the strength and courage to rid us of the dirty politices that has plagued this country in the form of PPP and PML-N. Ameen.
Ouch!!
It is a good sign at least there is a party in Pakistan , which is sidelining its leaders for having flattering and bribing tactics! there ll come problems in your way PTI but stick to the principle of non corruption , inshaALLAH you will get success.
The thing which doesn't kill you makes you stronger! we have high hopes in imran Khan and PTI.period
@asif: it is the status Quo which you support will be doomed inshallah not the hopes of many Pakistanis and prayers
Behind closed doors, ET getting paid to put up anti-PTI headlines.
...and ET continues to cash IK/PTI for its readership...
Pls keep it up, as more you will show this 'professionalism' the more we will understand the true 'journalism' in Pakistan.
In fact PTI Chairman Mr. Imran Khan now has many heavy weights who have always been in the government of different parties with zero results in what ever ministry they were allotted. IK should be extra careful when ever these King Makers tender any advise. He should stick with his old colleagues who were and are with him in thin and thick.
PTI is the only hope now left in Pakistan and Imran Khan has capability to change the Pakistan.
Ik is unable to control even party, he doesn't deserve leadership. The only area where he is expert is making allegations against others. Instead of making false allegations against others he should take care of his party which is going to deflate v soon.
There is the pro-Taliban faction and the pro-Progress faction. Both represent each side of the face of Kaptaan Saab. Thus, we can expect contradictions within the party.
This is what we need to curb if we really want change, not just another political party with the same ethics. Imran Khan should do something about whats happening in his own party instead of focussing just on what his political opponents are saying.
Imran, watch out for Nadir Akmal Leghari. . He can't visit his own supposed constituency in Ghotki without the locals throwing stones at him. . This man is not good for PTI or Pakistan.
good to hear, PTI will be doomed before election inshallah
Any party that takes Sh Rashid,is a non serious party with no scruples
This was expected when Imran Khan allowed members of other parties to join PTI. In fact he should have concentracted only for new members and not allow old politicians to enter in his party. This is going to be his biggest mistake.
Mirza: One sane comment once a year. I like that>
Seems to be normal internal party politics. What is important to note is that at the end it would be the members who would be ELECTING their office bearers not Imran Khan or any of the "leaders" lobbying for positions. This is the best way to resolve these issues and would ensure that anyone who is GENUINELY popular among the members would eventually make it to the top. Imran Khan himself should not favour any side in the process for sake of neutrality.
Believe it or not but this is a democratic party!
I read express tribune everyday...but now most of the times their news are not right and sometime they even remove from archives....Please ET we are your beloved reader...set the standard please..
Truth is, politicians who change their affiliations have no loyalty except to their own agenda.and that is to serve their own personal interest and no one else. Imran Khan needs to be very careful about whom he gives his favor and whom not..otherwise the ones who wold give their best to make positive changes for the Pakistani people will turn their backs and leave disillusioned.I can only say one thing " Imran Khan you have this one chance to make things a lot better, please don't mess it up"
PTI is full of hot air. It had to deflate one day. Will happen later if not sooner.
I dont know how credible this news can be only ET published alliance with Sheikh Rasheed which was denied later on Geol program Lekin by PTI and now this!!
I fail to understand why such petty issues make it to the headlines. May Imran Khan live long and strong and that is the only thing that matters for Pakistan's future.
Every Party, Every Community have differences behind the Door! than what?
Intra-party election is a momentous process for a real democratic party and first time in Pakistan. There will be some maneuvers and wrangling but it will provide genuine representation at the end. It will never be that easy. This will have ever lasting effects. Wish all current leadership good luck.
So...??? why ET whenever give news about Imran Khan, writes source "observed by PTI members that wished to remain anonymous"
In every party such cases are observed. PMLN is a recent example with Khosas..whats the big deal?
It is not easy to become such a large force in such a short time and manage everything perfectly. At least they are not run by a single family controlling everything like PPP and PML (N). PTI is true democratic party.
PTI is Political party not family party and it is natural to have rifts in political party
You cannot build a national party by holding jalsas. It takes a long time for a party to build character and membership loyalty. Most of PTI's new members are opportunists who want to cash-in on the new-found fame. The real drama will start when seat allocation begins.
PTI is worse than all the other parties combined. IK is a civilian dictator by nature.
Believe me guys. These elections are not easy to handle AT ALL. Its indeed an uphill task and I hope PTI will be able to conduct them without any difficulties. All the best
Where there is truth, there is always a backlash and may be hurdles. Stay consistent IK. We look forward to you.
Walking contradiction party...
IK just a pretty face.
Many more such incidents will take place since PTI is not an organized party. PTI's workers are emotional and arrogant which is against the norms of politics.
Excuse to boycott elections. Party is not ready yet.
Time for IK to show his leadership to his own party members. Let us see how he handles all the landlords, Pir and lotas with long time party workers. The problem is not PTI or any other party; it is our culture of corruption and power grabbing. Best of luck IK to change these habits of the people.
To the contrary, inter-party conflicts within PTI over principled politics is a good sign. If the active, honest, and determined folks within PTI keep up the fight, I am sure bad ones will be weeded out in time.
It is not unusual to see small issues poping up within the parties. The important thing is that what actions are taken to curb the wrong doings. One can't make everybody happy and one must not. Someone didn't need to create such hype about it.
Transparency is the key
so?