PML-N K-P is also concerned the central party leadership does not interact with the provincial leadership. PHOTO: FILE
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chapter of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has expressed concerns of being undermined by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in K-P.
Additionally, the PML-N is also struggling to cope with internal differences between provincial and central ranks, The Express Tribune learnt on Sunday.
On Saturday, the PML-N K-P Executive Committee held a meeting to discuss problems confronting the party and possible steps to resolve them. Provincial President Pir Sabir Shah chaired the meeting, while Central Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Central Vice President Amir Muqam, Provincial General Secretary Rahmat Salam Khattak and various others were in attendance.
Shah voiced concerns over PTI’s activities in the province. “The PTI-led government is exploiting PML-N and I ask Chief Minister Pervez Khattak put an end to it,” said Shah.
The leader did not pinpoint when and how his party was being victimised.
However, a PML-N insider told The Express Tribune the party leaders want to quietly convey a message to the PTI: refrain from attempts to weaken PML-N’s roots in the province.
“By ignoring parliamentary traditions, PTI leaders are carrying out postings and transfers in health, education and other departments without consulting or taking into confidence the PML-N MPAs from the respective constituencies,” said the person familiar with the matter.
“In order to garner support in Shangla, Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai has appointed health functionaries from the district instead of his own constituency PK-2 Peshawar. He has done this without taking the concerned PML-N MPA on board,” he said, It was an attempt by PTI to weaken the PML-N in its stronghold, Shangla.
K-P Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser made a similar move in Swabi, bypassing a PML-N Swabi MPA Sheraz Khan. In fact, the insider added, the PTI engaged in such activities wherever PML-N MPAs had won on May 11 in the general elections.
“The provincial leaders are concerned about PTI leaders’ interference.”
Internal metrics
The provincial leadership is also concerned over the indifference of the PML-N central leadership. A senior party leader requesting anonymity shared PML-N K-P has entrusted Iqbal Zafar Jhagra to take up the issue with the party chief Nawaz Sharif.
“Nawaz will have to dispel the impression the party is anti-Pukthun,” he said. The party had three MNAs from Fata but not a single one was given a portfolio at the centre.
PML-N K-P is also concerned the central party leadership does not interact with the provincial leadership. “Recently Abid Sher Ali, Rana Tanveer and Saad Rafique visited K-P but did not interact with the provincial leadership prior to or during the visit.”
The PML-N insider also admitted internal differences within the provincial chapter. Differences which have had adverse effects on internal affairs. “Office bearers are continually being selected from one division, creating dissent with party workers from other regions,” he said.
Recent PML-N entrants MNA Tahira Bukhari and MPA Sobia Khan were selected on reserved seats for women instead of party stalwarts.“They are close relatives of party leader Mehtab Abbassi and do not even take part in meetings,” claimed the senior leader.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2013.
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