Internal democracy: PTI candidates prepare for intra-party elections
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is preparing to hold nationwide intra-party elections on September 25, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) first in line.
The elections will be conducted on the Union Council, tehsil and district level.Four provincial leaders of the PTI have expressed willingness to contest the intra-party elections for provincial leadership. These include former president Asad Qaiser, former political advisor to the party chairman Shoukat Yousafzai, and Masood Sharif Khattak and Pervaiz Khattak.
Asad Qaiser
Qaiser joined the PTI in 1996 and was one of the founding members of the party in K-P. Previously, he was an active member of Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing and leader of Pasban in K-P.
Qaiser became prominent when former PTI chief in K-P Akbhar Khan Matta resigned after losing the elections in 2008. Matta had gone against the party, which had boycotted the previous elections.
Sources told The Express Tribune that Qaiser would be a strong contender for provincial president because of his relationship with old party workers.
Qaiser also facilitated the establishment of the Insaf Student Federation (ISF) and Insaf Youth Wing (IYW), which are said to play a decisive role in the upcoming elections. Many party workers, however, are unsatisfied with Qaiser, saying he lacks leadership skills.
Pervaiz Khattak
A former provincial irrigation minister, Khattak, was previously part of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and later PPP-Sherpao (PPP-S) before joining the PTI in December 2011.
He is said to have significant electoral influence in his constituency, PK-14, from where he was elected twice for the provincial assembly. He was also a district nazim in Nowshera during the local government system.
Khattak joined the PTI after the party held its largest rally in Lahore on October 30. I
Sources say that the real contest in the intra-party election will be between Qaiser and Khattak. Khattak may be at the receiving end because of changing political affiliations over the years, but his past experience in politics could help him gain supporters.
Shoukat Yousafzai
Yousafzai, a journalist by profession, is among the founding members of the PTI in the province. He still lacks prominence in the party, which he joined in 1996. He contested for the provincial assembly in 2007 on the PTI’s ticket and lost.
Party sources told The Express tribune that he might support Pervaiz Khattak at the last moment. Before declaring his candidacy in these elections, he was Imran Khan’s political advisor and resigned following his announcement.
Masood Sharif Khattak
Masood Sharif Khattak claims to contest for the provincial chief with a vision to bring the party on the ‘winning track.’ He joined the PTI on November 11, 2011 and is a member of the party’s central executive committee.
“I have a military, bureaucratic and political background, and am better placed than other candidates,” he said. He was the former director general of the Intelligence Bureau in 1996. Later he was sent to jail for three years on charges of wiretapping conversations between government officials. After Pervez Musharraf’s coup in 1999, Masood was released and contested the 2002 general elections on a PPP ticket.
Masood opposed the National Reconciliation Ordinance and developed differences with the PPP. In December 2007, he resigned from the PPP’s central executive committee and his position as the party’s central vice president.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th, 2012.
COMMENTS (36)
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PTI and Imran Khan is the only hope for people of Pakistan in the forthcoming general election. May Allah gives PTI a chance to served this poor country and bring Pakistani into proud nation of the world Aaman. Good luck to Imran Khan and PTI.
Gentlemen ! Its a healthy discussion when people potray different opinions about candidates. This is what democracy is all about but we must know that whatever result comes out in the end; we must accept that and move on. This would be the best service one could do for this party and Pakistan.
Now all the members should choose the right one in their areas. Pakistan Zindabad.
In my opinion, Masood sharif khatak should b the kpk president of pti. The voters should not vote because someone is old or new, they should vote for someone who can take the party forward and ahead of other political parties.
More than ironic that Imran Khan has been the president of his own party since its founding. PTI is all democratic. there is a niazi under every brick, and then the party accuses others of "family" politics.
Wonderful act. I dare any party to do such thing. Long live Pakistan and long live Pakistan Tehreek-Insaaf!
1st ever election of its kind in pakistan... Thanks Sir Imran Khan
Though there are certain reservations over Asad Qaiser, but his sacrifices are more than anybody else in KP. Also, he played vital role in organizing PTI in KP. The ratio of party popularity increased in his tenure. He is the only voice of workers.
Asad Qaisar does not have a leadership qualities because if had so the party would be more organized now in KP. He was president for four years but could not make the basic structure of the party in province. A man who had 72 votes in 2002 election( Refer to election commission website) how can he run the province.
Asad Qaiser is the best option right now. He will be the next President of PTI KPK inshAllah.
Now that's unusual...for a Pakistani political party guess..
@Blithe: U need a good prescription.
Masood Sharif Khattak..my choice..
Asad Qaiser does not have leadership qualities. I would prefer Masood Sharif Khattak to be President. He is intelligent and advance :D from the rest of the candidates.
These intra-party elections are going to be a tough task for Imran Khan. Many differences will emerge within the party during these polls and there are chances of more people can jump out of the tsunami of PTI. But Imran is players of risks and never look back while jumping into fire. My best wishes are with PTI and its intra-party elections, i hope Imran will wisely manage the situation during and after these polls.
pervez khattak
Asad Qiaser does not have leadership quality. he can not sit with other maverick politicians to gamble and force his stance even the party chairman IK recognize this and don't give much importance to him. what i think; the Youth Wing and ISF will emerge a power within and will washout the old statues.
The only true democratic party in Pakistan. The only hope for Pakistan.
Well done. PTI is the only hope and such steps are commendable.
General Pasha is no more in active service . Long live Gen Pasha!
Democracy - Sham democracy !
Especially when you invariably see a makhdooms siting on each side of IK.
well done pti
@ Adnan Siddiqui: and will you elaborate on the reasons??
PTI Rocks...
The essence of democracy begins with one's own party. PTI Elections all the way.
No intention of rocking the little dingy of Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Zardari, but this a mere exercise in futility because by the end of 2012; PTI would cease to exist as a political party (If it was ever one)
Hip Hip Horray - PTI Rockssssssssss
Whoever wins is good,they all.are good deserving people,and the people who lose should concede the defeat with big heart this will prove that pti is a true democratic party.
I think Asad Qaiser is the best
very good, can any other political party do this??
I think Mr Masood Sharif Khattak will win this one!!.. :O
I would advice party member to pick Asad Qaisar, because he is a one of the founding member. He is a deserving member to get a chance to get to a position like provincial President. Good luck to all.