Back in the fold: Khattak wins Gandapur’s support for NA-25 by-polls

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s leader had earlier decided to support JUI-F’s candidate.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: During his recent visit to DI Khan, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak convinced provincial law minister Israrullah Gandapur to withdraw his support for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) candidate Maulana Asad Mehmood in the by-polls for NA-25.

Insiders said Israrullah has agreed to support Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate Engineer Dawar Khan Kundi in the polls to be held today (Wednesday).

Though Israrullah was not present, the chief minister met his elder brother Ikramullah Gandapur along with hundreds of elders from the Gandapur tribe on Monday. In the meeting, Ikramullah assured Khattak of the minister’s support.



Previous attempts to woo Gandapur had failed, with another PTI MPA Ali Amin Gandapur lashing out at Israrullah, saying it was a shame he was supporting JUI-F in the by-polls for NA-25.

The chief minister took up the initiative to convince Israrullah following his absence during Imran Khan’s address in Paniyala. Israrullah and Ali Amin Gandapur are both members of PTI, but have developed difference despite family ties. According to some insiders, Israrullah has also complained about Ali Amin to the party’s top leadership.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2013.