Humble beginnings: From 16 men in a hujra to the ruling party of K-P
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s tortuous journey in its 18 years of existence.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s tortuous journey in its 18 years of existence. PHOTO: PPI
PESHAWAR:
“It was around 2pm and only 16 people from across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) had gathered at the hujra of Dr Afzal, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was launched,” said K-P Minister for Industries Shaukat Yousafzai, recalling the formation of his party 18 years ago.
Today, PTI occupies majority of the seats in the provincial assembly, and is in power with the support of other political parties. Facing immense resistance from various quarters, PTI’s founding leaders say they have to work even harder to change the system they are a part of.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, Yousafzai said besides him, the founding members included Zahid Mohmand, Tahir Umarzai, former K-P Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani, Ammad Sherpao, Jamal Afridi, Dr Afzal and others.
“Simply put, we would face problems welcoming the party chief with such a small number of workers,” said Yousafzai, “Today, we are barely able to deal with the crowds coming from every corner of K-P and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.”
Imran Khan had a dream of changing the system and the journey began with 16 players, said Yousafzai. The minister shared that by watching things being brought onto the right track and promises being fulfilled, he thinks the long-standing dream is now starting to be realised. With the improvements in health and education, the country is a witness to what PTI has achieved in less than a year of governance in the province, he added.
“People would laugh at our strength, since we were few enough to be counted on their fingertips,” said Tahir Umarzai, the first senior vice president among the founding members. “Today, they are becoming a part of our journey, which still has a long way to go before all the goals we had envisioned 18 years ago are brought to fulfillment. People voted for us to deliver, and deliver we will.”
“Imran Khan had a dream of bringing together honest people,” said Samad Mursalin, who contested last year’s elections against the party’s candidate. “But along with trustworthy individuals, some insincere ones have also become part of the movement, which, I fear, may stigmatise PTI.”
Mursalin added that a number of loyal party members have been sidelined and others brought in with no merit. That, he said, is what led him to revolt and contest against the PTI candidate during by-polls in NA-1, Peshawar.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2014.
“It was around 2pm and only 16 people from across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) had gathered at the hujra of Dr Afzal, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was launched,” said K-P Minister for Industries Shaukat Yousafzai, recalling the formation of his party 18 years ago.
Today, PTI occupies majority of the seats in the provincial assembly, and is in power with the support of other political parties. Facing immense resistance from various quarters, PTI’s founding leaders say they have to work even harder to change the system they are a part of.
While speaking to The Express Tribune, Yousafzai said besides him, the founding members included Zahid Mohmand, Tahir Umarzai, former K-P Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani, Ammad Sherpao, Jamal Afridi, Dr Afzal and others.
“Simply put, we would face problems welcoming the party chief with such a small number of workers,” said Yousafzai, “Today, we are barely able to deal with the crowds coming from every corner of K-P and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.”
Imran Khan had a dream of changing the system and the journey began with 16 players, said Yousafzai. The minister shared that by watching things being brought onto the right track and promises being fulfilled, he thinks the long-standing dream is now starting to be realised. With the improvements in health and education, the country is a witness to what PTI has achieved in less than a year of governance in the province, he added.
“People would laugh at our strength, since we were few enough to be counted on their fingertips,” said Tahir Umarzai, the first senior vice president among the founding members. “Today, they are becoming a part of our journey, which still has a long way to go before all the goals we had envisioned 18 years ago are brought to fulfillment. People voted for us to deliver, and deliver we will.”
“Imran Khan had a dream of bringing together honest people,” said Samad Mursalin, who contested last year’s elections against the party’s candidate. “But along with trustworthy individuals, some insincere ones have also become part of the movement, which, I fear, may stigmatise PTI.”
Mursalin added that a number of loyal party members have been sidelined and others brought in with no merit. That, he said, is what led him to revolt and contest against the PTI candidate during by-polls in NA-1, Peshawar.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 26th, 2014.