Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan addressing a student convention in Peshawar in February 2011. PHOTO: PPI
PESHAWAR:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) is still passing through vicissitude within its ranks, as the 90-day target set by the party to bring ‘change’ in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) comes to an end.
While facing internal incoherence, the party is yet to face the gigantic tasks of bringing reforms and ending corruption in various sectors of the government.
The latest in the series of problems the PTI must confront comes in the shape of asking Law Minister Israrullah Gandapur to explain why he allegedly supported Jamiat Ulema-e-Islami (JUI-F) candidate Asad Mehmud on NA-25 DI Khan-cum-Tank in the by-election campaign instead of PTI candidate Dawar Kundi.
The by-elections on NA-25 were postponed by the Election Commission of Pakistan on account of security concerns in the region. The JUI-F and PTI are rivals on this seat.
The Express Tribune learnt, however, that the PTI is in disharmony in the constituency and is holding Gandapur responsible for his dubious role in supporting the JUI-F as opposed to the PTI ticket holder.
The concerns and complaints made to the PTI’s central leadership by the party’s office bearers regarding the provincial minister led to the constitution of a five-member inquiry committee, which will probe the situation and decide whether the minister really supported a candidate against the PTI.
Earlier, Gandapur, who was elected as an independent candidate on a provincial assembly seat in the general elections and later joined the PTI, was summoned by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak “to clear his position”, said people familiar with the matter.
PTI regional coordinator for southern areas Ali Ameen confirmed an “explanation had been sought from Gandapur”. Ameen added the minister would now have to choose between the PTI and JUI-F.
“His (Gandapur’s) role is suspicious, and PTI chief Imran Khan knows it,” he added. “If he supported the JUI-F then he has double standards. This kind of behaviour is intolerable within the party.”
PTI district leader in Tank, Ayub Bhittani, meanwhile, said Israrullah’s brother Ikramullah Gandapur had been publically supporting the JUI-F candidate in the region. “Recently, I tried to hold a public meeting in support of the PTI but the party leaders, including Israrullah and Ali Ameen, did not turn up”, Bhittani informed.
Irarullah Gandapur, meanwhile, could not be contacted for comments.
Another issue facing the party has to do with PTI MPA from PK-25, Obaid Khan Mayar, who has been served a show-cause notice by the party on charges of corruption. Mayar too, is set to face an inquiry. He told the media he had asked the party leadership in K-P to follow merit-based policies in the province in general and in district Mardan in particular.
In the past 90 days, which the PTI visualised as a crucial timeframe within which to trigger change, the party’s internal rifts in the wake of by-elections have also cost the party the NA-1 Peshawar seat, which was secured by Awami National Party leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour. The PTI never even got off to a smooth start to begin with, as the allocation of provincial ministerial slots to elected candidates was a process in which reservations and expressions of bereavement were commonplace. Some of this discontent within the party lingers to this day.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2013.
COMMENTS (83)
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Your disingenuous digs at PTI are quite disturbing. When will ET become a credible news source?
ET, you have deleted my comments twice! It seems that these spaces are reserved for PTI trolls only :)
I am a Software Engineer by Profession.
In our field there is a concept of Requirements Analysis , design then implementation.
Until design you don't see tangible output but after implementation you can see the tangible output of the software.
PTI's efforts in KPK are in design Phase, InshAllah once it gets implemented , You will see the difference.
One minor glimpse is rights of services act introduced by PTI led KPK govt, This is non-tangible , you cannot feel it like metro or laptops but if you know How to use it then where it makes the difference.
Long way to go PTI, You are still ahead of what a common Pakistani thinks.
Just transform your ideas into actions and let your efforts do the talking...
Long live #PTI , #NayaKPK is in the making.....
all you media guys see is KPK government's "failure"... what about PMLN...? where is "experienced tair-e-lahooti"? aren't they still begging? aren't drones still killing our countrymen? I still see positive things here... PTI MPA gets question about corruption.... isn't that a positive change??? black sheeps being caught! can't you appreciate that?
Jesus Christ ET...can you please stop reporting like a gossip magazine and report like a newspaper for once? I dont think I've ever read a more biased article.
ET comments section - PTI fanboys to the rescue!
jamat-e-islami is enough for his fall in KPP...in the last election no major party was willing to have alliance with J.I.
@sabi.. see rejoinder to the letter soon..
Petty publishing politics!
I STARTED DISLIKING ET FOR THIS POST. BE REALISTIC. PTI & Jumat-e-Islami is trying and let them do it their Way, All other parties are afraid of them.
I strongly believe PTI will not be able to deliver the ''Change''. having said that, they will surely do ''something'' for their voters, but not complete overhauling...
PTI supporters are party's biggest weakness. Because they will never ever ever criticize wrong steps taken by leadership. All I want to ask PTI friends is this: how does comparing provinces make PTI look better? And there are huge rifts within KPK chapter of PTI, no matter how grand IKs plans are they will have to face reality of give and take politics in Pakistan. Challenge for PTI is to balance practicality and idealism and so far it is failing badly. Challenge for PTI supporters is to hold party accountable, which they failing badly at.
ET will shortly be viewed as an example of journalism - the one which no sane, truthful and mature person would follow.
First 90 days conclude? Wondering you ever conclude 66 years of other parties
@Farras: @fawad: @NUST: @logic Europe: @Irfan: @Adnan: @LUMS: @Fahad: @Aamir - Toronto: @Laraiz: @Ammar: Self-delusional PTI followers get more excuses ready for the next 90 days !
This is not news though. It's an opinion piece. I wonder what's it doing in news section?
@Baloch Insafian: You are right dear! Mine didn't get published either.
The problem is everybody - means everybody; has his own axe to grind. Everybody speaks with an angle. Everybody has an opinion. Everybody wants to say something........ This is good. Because this means everybody is not happy with the state of affairs of our beloved country (Can't we call this state of affairs as 'status quo'?) Everybody wishes a change - some change, even a miniscule of a change, in the state of affairs of the country - and that, very, very quickly, too! Everybody can't wait for an iota of a change. Everybody is extremely impatient. Everybody wishes to break the 'status quo'. PERIOD. But in an extremely polarized and fractured polity, somebody's comment is bound to disturb somebody's feathers. Because everybody is part of the 'status quo'. Somebody's comment about prospective change is perceived as an attack on somebody's sacred marbles - deep-rooted interests. And when self interests get involved - tou jootou,N mein daal batney lagtee hai. Isn't it, what is happening on these fora?
Believe me dear these ET at al folks are also INTEGRAL PART of this 'status quo'. They will not relent and will oppose tooth and nail - to their last drop of blood, any effort, even a miniscule one - like a small comment, to even talk about change.
Fact: PTI makes 90 day 0 corruption promise and fails to keep it.
PTI fanboy response: Give them more time.
Fact: 250 hardened criminals escape under the KP government's nose.
PTI fanboy response: No biggie.
Fact: Imran calls the judiciary's conduct 'shameful', a universal insult in Pakistan.
PTI fanboy response: That's not even a bad word!
Fact: A newspaper reports these facts
PTI fanboy response: The newspaper is biased
If ever: Imran is publicly caught beating a 5 year old senseless.
I predict, PTI fanboy response: Imran had superhuman abilities with ESP and knew the little kids would have grown up to be evil, so he initially deserved it!
Gandapur was never an independent candidate! And if the party is giving show cause to its own for alleged corruption then that is an attempt at accountability! Whats wrong with that ?
So the Right to Information Law, Mobile courts etc stand no mention? right!!
I never understand that why is ET always on PTIs case?
as they are the new party i personally would like to give them the full 5 years and judge after that. also on ground there are lot of external factors that doesn't like them to succeed and they are in full play.
The 90 day deadline was supposed to reflect on their governance.... something completely missing from this report.
Whos doing what in the elections, and whos not getting along with whom, while important, has absolutely nothing to do with the 90 day deadline.
This piece shouldve been about milestones the KP govt has achieved, and those they have failed achieve.... not a gossip column!
Ghous Ali Shah, Sindh PMLN chief resigns and its only an 'item' BUT minor differences within PTI are headline news.
Come on ET, you could do better
PTI`s biggest problem is its front line leadership which all are about lotaaas if PTI want to reform Pakistan then it should clean all these lotaaas first and bring the main leadership on merit now it is no more the party of youngsters party has been hijacked by gagas now.
@Laraiz: What change, pray do tell us.
IK wants to hold talks with the Taliban --- the same people who kill us and our brethren. You expect them to hold talks with you? Are they not killing you without any reason?
Sethi was spot-n to say that IK is Pakistan's most confused leader when it comes to Terrorism. Though, I fear he may not only be the most confused, but also incapable of dealing with Terrorism.
Mr. Ghous Ali Shah has resigned as President of Sindh PML-N and has parted ways with Nawaz Sharif...... and Fed Govt is 'performing' the way it is - right.... Is it any different than what is going on in KP with PTI. Wonder why 'status quo-ish' have blinkers on their eyes...
I even dont care to read this article after reading the title. Did ET ever published something about any other party like this?
@LUMS: How do u pay back the loans whose repmts r due now? How r u expected to "immediately" increase the electricity production? These things will take time so criticizing the PML N or PTI govts is a sign of frustration and not a part of a reasonable and educated dialogue. I would however say that the PML N has "not " been a disappointment so far. On the other hand, Imran still seems to be living under the illusion of being an outside force (of parliament and govt) and always criticizing. He needs to grow up fast.
@Ammar: Add as many stages as you want to pacify your voters but remember people of Pakistan are very smart. They know the difference between lip service and tangible results. You failed in your 90 days promise, be it "stages" or whatever.
@Z: Only PTI claimed an utopia and making Pehsawar a Hong Kong. No?
Mr. Author, please enlighten us with comparison of other provinces.
PTI legislator supporting JUI-F is being called dubious and double standard.
I call it Democracy...
He doesn't have a magic broom to transform the province into an ideal one overnight.But look at the steps undertaken during his short time that will lay foundation for the goals that he promised.Think about it!!
With all the problems pakistan is facing today, all ET could come up with biggest headline for the day is that PTI mna in D. I. Khan is not supporting pti candidate. ET must be joking.
Any one can understand that 90 days are not enough to perform but the problem or you can say topic is IK 's claim to do it in 90 or sonetimes in 9 days ....... Even nothing is done . Why their cabinet is largest ...why their ministers doing corruption and he is not sacking them...why he is just another politician after getting power .
@Irfan: Which mega projects? pl can you name one.
Mr IK and PTI. Please focus on development and not SC, Sharamnak, and other dubious issues. Pl pl pl develop power and energy. Your new Energy & Power Working Group is full of people who have played their innings and failed with the exception of one or two. I will not name the corrupt people you have put of this Working Group. They will get no where and PTI will be eventual loser. The Working Group consists some 50 people nothing will get done. Make it 5 people and they will deliver.
I think he's already done wonders, the steps he's taken are totally concrete. What I notice is that IK is making a strong foundation which will produce some great results regardless of whether the federal govt. meddles or not. He's doing what he has always done, making the province an organisation consisting of various institutions. Broader the base, the taller the building. He's an Oxford graduate, with amazing success stories and totally self-made hence, he's beyond the understanding of some street smart businessmen. Hold your horses guys- change is not instantaneous, it comes gradually.
My Comment didn't get published.. Thumbs up ET!
Well PTI has done a great deal in KPK. Just look at the amount of attention the smallest province by land area and second smallest by population has got in these 3 months. Especially by ET. I remember when Fauzia Kasuri resigned. ET kept bashing Pti, there were like 5 reports on F.K every few hours but now that Ghous Ali Shah left Noon, no word about it.
Et, do publish the report about federal and punjab govt as well as they promised to end loadshedding in 6 months if YOU ARE NOT BAISED??
Center is performing well in spite of coming a few days later than PTI govt they have cleared circular debt, started working working on Khi-Lhr motorway, Gaddani project , Tax reforms, Gwader-khunjerab corridor and now about to start a full fledged operation in Karachi against criminals whereas PTI govt has a jail break , mobile court (concieved by PHC and ANP) and a small scale power project in Kalam (conceived and funded by a NGO) to their credit.
For example, even if this were true, I'm still way too happy with whatever's happening. A limping, confused PTI is a thousand times better than a well organized ANP.
@Ammar:
Storming and norming?
Please define each of these
Typical PTI bashing by ET.Get a life ET! seriously you are looosing credibility as a news source for me.
Change in KPK has already started... ET's blindness just can't figure out the Naya KPK By the way I am from Balochistan & after all these 90 days we still don't have any cabinet in province... would like to hear about it one day from ET as well..
The name says it all ! Hope you get it ET !
PTI has already introduced lot of reforms in KPK. Most of the biggest corruption has already been turned off as CM and his team has not taken any illegal money or funds.
By forming the government in KPK mr khan has shown immaturity He is standing exactly where PMLN nad PPP want him A place from where he will fall most definitely If he had any vision he would have waited till next election
I expect a better ,humble and decent behavior from the supporters of imran kham, inviting and tolerating criticism as the supporters of Democracy....a mature point to point reply will create a better image about he supporters of PTI who are expected to set examples.
@Laraiz
We dont :). We know that Imran & PTI must be doing very right that ANP,PPP,PMLN and JUIF got united against him. We just come here to see haters burning :D
Any news about bullet trains? I hope ET also gives some insight into that.
Have you seen the right to information act in KPK. Its a major step. Ask other governments to implement it. What is the federal and other governments doing. Balochistan cabinet was only sworn in last week, people of sindh are being crushed - see karachi for instance, nothing in punjab - not even a single project, only load shedding. And you call the only government performing as running out of time. Pretty strange!
Tribune is very fair and balanced.. sarcasm
Apparently , they are not going to bring any change even in next 180 days. All expectations has came to an end .
hope, very soon the results will come more clear....Keep it up , our Hero IK.
O dear God. You write a 2 page long article on one MPA's alleged dubious role and declare PTI fail. These things happen in all the parties. The difference is PTI doesnt beleive in 'Matti Pao" theory and sticks to its principles.
Let them work, don't be so impatient
Trust ET to come up with such a biased title based on unfounded theories and groundless arguments. Compare to DAWN.com and you'll see a world of a difference in reporting standards. Utter rubbish this. Bleh...
The author has evaluated 90 days of PTI in the context of Irarullah Gandapur, which makes no sense. Even you didn't mention many good steps of PTI, e.g., RIT law (ranked top in world), mobile courts, efficient online FIR system, mega power projects, etc.
With sheer disappointment, I am disheartened by Tribune's publishing. It has entirely become a blog! A newspaper should be dispensing information and facts rather than opinions as "headlines" .... As far as its biased opinion on PTI goes, I would suggest that it should talk to the general public of KPK and ask if they have witnessed any change since the new set up has arrived. I have personally heard accounts where people are experiencing a new and reformed way of governance, price control, free health care and medicines, justice system and an overall shift in government attitude towards the people. A service oriented approach rather than lip service approach. Plz be responsible and professional and keep your opinions away from headline news. You do have other space for that.
Soon we will hear from Imran Khan that all this was conspiracy from center to undermine their government in KP. Angry Khan needs to concentrate in KP and make sure promises made to masses materialized as otherwise PTI will be a history.
Time for PTI to take stock of their performance so far!
Khan just got the passion.. no team... no experience. It will take 2-3 governments for him to properly understand how to run a government effectively.
great go IK.....we the KPK with you
And PPP was complete and total success. As was Nawaz Sharifs first two glorious terms!
Here we go PTI is no different then any political party. Just loves to protest and ridicule others but can't do anything itself. No voting for it again!
How about some of this kind of 'reporting' on PMLN and PPP in the utopias they're governing?
5 year will pass by still we have the same news paper headline. Long live #NayaPakistan.
On serious note PTI has no ideology but hollow slogans that,to many,make no sense.A letter written by students of Haripur to IK in ET should be an eye opener for PTI supporters who have high hopes from PTI.
All politicians - both domestic and foreign - make promises (as part of their rhetoric) that are obviously quite unrealistic. Give PTI some time. If they won't deliver, they will be voted out. Let's not get into political rivalries in the comments today. Pakistan has many problems. We can solve them if we stand united. Like if you agree.
PTI still has two days to announce implementing its ideology of Bakistan.Brouhaha.
Is this even a news. Get a life ET... PTI is doing great in KP, the change has started, simply wait for results
No mention of governance, only party's internal issue The 90 day headline is misleading......the usual from ET
Don't worry ET. For the best of breed to evolve, the most hardships one has to face. This is a process to differentiate the black sheep's in PTI from other loyal workers of PTI. It is a very positive step in building a solid foundation. From this action, even those thinking of corruption will get a silent but stringent warning. Keep it up PTI. One more day to go!!
Here we go again with ET's typical style of badgering against PTI.
There are 4 phases in team building, namely, 1) forming, 2) storming, 3)norming, 4) performing.
Relax Guys, they will perform, it takes some time to sort out challenges...