Appeasing the disgruntled: PPP provincial cabinet expresses confidence in Khanzada’s leadership

Insider claims a storm may be brewing as many party leaders have withheld their reservations.

PESHAWAR: Amid brewing discontent over the appointment of the party’s new provincial chief, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) cabinet in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has reaffirmed its confidence in Khanzada Khan on Wednesday. Khanzada was recently appointed the PPP K-P president.

A source privy to the meeting held at the provincial president’s house told The Express Tribune it was a first following Khanzada’s appointment and party leaders in attendance expressed confidence in him to handle provincial affairs. They also discussed arrangements for Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary on December 27.



“Though the issue of local bodies’ election was taken up during the meeting, it was referred to the provincial general council who will likely meet soon.” Party leaders agreed that since LG polls concerned the district, the general council was the proper forum to discuss it as presidents and general secretaries from all districts are represented in it, he added.

The person familiar with the matter claimed, however, differences in the party over the appointment were far from over “as most of the senior leaders are unhappy with his selection for the top slot.”

The big guns, including former provincial president Syed Zahir Ali Shah, Arbab Alamgir Khan, Najumuddin Khan, Rahim Dad Khan, Azam Afridi, Abdul Akbar Khan, Faisal Karim Kundi remained irked with his appointed, he shared.

“Even provincial general secretary Humayun Khan and information secretary Liaquat Shahbab, among other cabinet members, were also unhappy with Khanzada’s selection,” said the party insider.

Responding to a question as to why there is resentment over Khanzada, the source explained the “new K-P president had no experience of leading the organisation.”

“He has not even led any of the party’s offices at the ward level and now he’s been handed the provincial chapter.” Other leaders worry his inexperience will damage the party in the long run. These fears have been compounded since Khanzada does not know party workers nor is he familiar among them.

The party has had seven presidents in 14 years and after Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao parted ways, the PPP has had lacked a strong leader in the province, he added. A new president leaves within six months or a year and the party then faces a lag in leadership.

Many leaders have withheld their resentment, but things could erupt at any moment, the insider claimed.

Khanzada’s spokesperson Fahim Khattak denied reports of differences over his boss’ appointment. “There are no differences, and Kundi, Azam and other leaders were present at the meeting. They also entrusted their confidence in his leadership,” said Khattak.

The party has formed a committee to appease disgruntled members across the province. It includes Humayun Khan, Azam Afridi, Liaqat Shahbab and Syed Ayub Shah, added the spokesperson. The committee has also taken disciplinary action against PPP activists who violated the party’s discipline during general elections in May.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2013.