Falling behind: As elections loom, PML-Q’s strength dwindles in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

The party has been losing leaders in the provincial and national assemblies.

PESHAWAR:

At a time when the caretaker setup is being finalised and various political parties are vying for alliances in the upcoming general elections, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) does not appear to be a strong competitor in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

Its lone standing MPAs, Ghulam Muhammad and Qalandar Lodhi, continue to maintain their affiliation with the party. But party sources claim both are considering changing allegiances to safeguard their own political careers.

Ghulam Muhammad is attempting to ally himself with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), but is facing resistance from the latter’s local leadership in Chitral which does not consider associating with non-ideological affiliates good for the party.

Qalandar Lodhi remains undecided after postponing his earlier decision to join the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) in wake of the party’s intra-party election preparations.

The party’s size diminished in the K-P Assembly when former PML-Q provincial president Amir Muqam joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in April 2012, taking with him MPAs Fazalullah and Muhammad Rashad Khan from Shangla and Sanaullah Khan Miankhel from DI Khan. MPA Nighat Orakzai, PML-Q’s most vocal leader, subsequently quit to join Pakistan Peoples Party in December 2012.

The party’s fate has been largely similar in the national assembly, where MNA Muhammad Nawaz Khan (Battagram) recently disclosed he was in consultation with family members to decide the course of his political future. Four other MNAs including Sardar Shah Jahan Yousuf from Mansehra, Humayun Saifullah from Lakki Marwat, Amir Muqam from Shangla, and Prince Mohiuddin from Chitral have already quit the party.



As a result of its declining strength, PML-Q seems to have no chances of forming alliances with other parties, and nothing has been said of its role in the province’s caretaker setup.

However, PML-Q Central Senior Vice President Intikhab Khan Chamkani remains hopeful, asserting the party still has candidates who could win seats in the upcoming elections.

He said the situation would become clearer after March 25, which is the last date for candidates to submit applications for provincial and national assembly tickets.

But the situation does not seem favourable by any means. Only 11 days remain for the deadline and, according to Chamkai, applications have come in from only five districts. People wishing to stand on a PML-Q ticket from the rest of the 20 districts are yet to make their move.

Chamkani claimed those who quit the party are now realising their mistake. Former leaders of the PML-Q now understand their new position is not working for them, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2013.