LG setup: PTI leaders split hairs over Charsadda nazim berth

Distinct groups have begun lobbying for their own candidates.

SHABQADAR:

After cutting deals with both Qaumi Watan Party and Jamaat-e-Islami over the local government setup in Charsadda, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders are divided in distinct groups over the district nazim seat.

Things were not the same before July 30. PTI had succumbed to QWP’s demands over the district nazim slot. Newly-elected district councillor Shahidullah and PTI district organiser were the only party leaders who participated in the negotiations.

Once re-polls were conducted, the scenario changed completely. PTI emerged as the second largest party in the polls after Awami National Party. A new agreement was sought and QWP and JI bowed down to PTI’s demands of reserving the Charsadda nazim and Shabqadar and Tangi naib nazim slots for itself. Meanwhile, JI was given the Charsadda naib nazim seats and QWP agreed to pitting tehsil nazims in the aforementioned areas.



Now that the dust has settled within the coalition, rifts have emerged within the party itself. Led by party heavyweights, three different groups are backing their own district nazim candidates. According to party insiders, PTI Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Organiser Fazal Muhammad Khan has thrown his weight behind Fahad Khan. Fahad joined the party after quitting QWP right before the LG polls.

On the other hand, PTI Charsadda MPA Muhammad Arif is lobbying for Shahidullah who joined the party back in 2013 upon Arif’s request. On the other hand, a third group led by former NA-8 candidate Jehanzeb Dhaki is backing Abdul Akbar Khan for the slot. Akbar has a history of association and disassociation with the party. He remained the party’s provincial president and had quit PTI for QWP in 2008 after Imran Khan opted out of the general elections that year. After the 2013 general elections, he chose to return to the folds of PTI.

While they are openly lobbying for the seat, there are numerous other leaders from Shabqadar, Charsadda and Tangi tehsils who are eyeing the berth. Some newcomers have repeatedly offered huge sums of money to party leaders in return for their support.

When contacted, Shahidullah said he was the sole candidate for the seat earlier as well. “It is up to the party to decide upon merit. Even if I am not considered, I will continue to serve as a party activist.” He said the party’s Shabqadar chapter has outperformed all others and deserves the district nazim slot. “If neglected, Shabqadar workers will lose all hope.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2015.