“Our support for the CM seat is with Asad Qaiser as he is an ideological activist who worked hard to strengthen the party,” says PTI Central Deputy Information Secretary. PHOTO: INP
After gaining a position strong enough to form a government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) senior leadership is divided over who to nominate for the chief minister (CM) slot.
The main contenders are PTI Central General Secretary Pervaiz Khattak and Provincial President Asad Qaiser. Supporters of both candidates are lobbying to gain the loyalties of elected PTI MPAs.
“Our support for the CM seat is with Asad Qaiser as he is an ideological activist who worked hard to strengthen the party,” said the PTI Central Deputy Information Secretary and winning candidate from PK-10 constituency, Shah Farman. “He deserves to be the next CM.”
However, sources privy to the matter told The Express Tribune the party is divided over who to nominate, with Provincial General Secretary and winning candidate from PK-2 constituency Shaukat Yousafzai’s group throwing its support behind Khattak.
When contacted, Peshawar District General Secretary Younas Zaheer Mohmand claimed those spreading rumours regarding differences within the party were not committed to PTI’s cause. “The central leadership, after consulting relevant stakeholders, has agreed to nominate Pervaiz Khattak for the CM slot,” he said. “Soon the party’s central information secretary will make a media announcement in this regard.”
Resurfacing differences
Sources claim differences developed during the intra-party elections have now resurfaced, with both groups manoeuvring to nominate their candidate for the top slot.
In the run for provincial president, Qaiser defeated Khattak by 14 votes. However, the latter staged a comeback by becoming the first elected central general secretary of the party by defeating former central general secretary and founding member Arif Alvi in the central intra-party elections.
Shaukat Yousafzai had contested the intra-party elections from Khattak’s panel while Shah Farman and Azam Swati had supported Qaiser. Current divisions regarding the CM slot remain over these lines.
Apart from brawling incidents, the party’s leaders had also made allegations against each other regarding poll rigging in the intra-party elections. They blamed each other for offering money to district cabinets in order to gain votes.
Both groups are now approaching the central leadership for a decision to be made in their favour, sources added.
According to the PTI women wing’s regional vice president, there are some circles which are supporting Khattak because of his previous experience in running state affairs. However, ideological workers are continuing to fight for Qaiser who has been associated with the party for a considerable period of time and enjoys the support of party activists at the union council level and the party’s women’s wing.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.
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Best option is to make IK the CM. Remember that NS was the CM Punjab in 88 and became a serious PM contender after that. This will a natural evolution for IK. It will also resolve intra-party differences.
Just curious, So since when do we start the 90 day count. Anybody?
If they can't decide the CM, then how can they set priorities and solve the problems of the people who voted them. What a 'naya Pakistan'
PTI starts to sink from day first of winning polls in KPK. of course power ll currupt them absolutely. lets see how they will bargain with America for Nato routes.
I think IK should himself becomes CM for this important province and show his executive credentials. He will steal the limelight from the Shareef brothers.
objections in party is usually an open debate over party post in a DEMOCRATIC part( see US example). however once desicion is made it should be final and accepte regardlessly pervaz khattak is a very well known and honarable person. he has never used govt vechiles or houses even being a minister asad qaisar has very long journey in PTI SO DECISION IS TOUGH but i think part memeber should hold some sort of election intra party pervaz has the advantage of experience
@Ali Syed......disagreement hhmmmmmmm you know Bat Man of karachi (Arif Alvi) got how much votes in intra party elections............................ 3 % against Mr Khattak. Mr.Khattak is a deserving person.
It's sad that Asad Qaiser and Pervez Khattak are lobbying so openly in public, giving a bad name to PTI. Disagreement is a part of democracy, but party discipline should have been maintained and all these discussions should have stayed within the party.
Disagreements happen in democratic parties... There is no one king who decides... as it will happen in the other provinces.
So the corruption will end in 90 days in KPK?
Those who feel excited after reading this news should understand that it is only dictatorship in which there is always 100% concensus without any opposition (example North Korea) whereas democracy always brings with itself debates and disputes, which is fruitful because you are not putting things under the carpet but discussing them, resolving them and ultimately getting a better result (example Europe)
This is the real and dark face of democracy that there will always be a 45% deprived and rejected majority.
Within 19 hours of being discharged from the hospital, Kaptaan Khan will lead a charge to KP and install a new CM.
Keeping in view the Taliban factor, one needs to understand that for peaceful negotiations, a person with background of JI and links with religious parties would be helpful . I think PTI should go for Asad Qaiser
PTI, welcome to the real politics. I believe that the party will be able to form a provincial governement without any interparty issues. PTI workers elected members and supporters should be very careful as all eyes are set on them. Good Luck
I think both guys deserve. Both have their plus points like Asad party worker and energetic... P Khatak is experienced. Both should avoid lobbying and should accept the verdict at the end... But they should try hard internally because this is their right...