Local govt: PTI bags support in three districts of Hazara

Several party members are still displeased with nomination of new entrants

ABBOTABAD: Even though Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is embroiled in internal differences, it has managed to gain considerable support to form district and tehsil governments in three districts of Hazara division.

In Haripur, Abbottabad and Battagram districts, the party emerged victorious on May 30 and hence does not need the support of other parties to seize the reins. Meanwhile in Mansehra, PTI has struck an alliance with Pakistan Peoples Party to attain the district nazim seat. In Torghar, it is engaged in last minute lobbying to win the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl’s four members to form a coalition government. However, the central leadership of Awami National Party and JUI-F have agreed to join hands to form a district government in Torghar.

Internal rifts

A large number of PTI leaders have voiced reservations over the results of various union councils in Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra districts.

The victory of former PTI district chapter president Sardar Sher Bahadur is a case in point.

When Bahadur failed to obtain a party ticket after his decade-long services, he distanced himself from PTI and decided to contest as an independent candidate. As luck would have it, Bahadur managed to defeat Minister for Information Mushtaq Ghani’s brother-in-law, Sardar Umair.

After he won the seat, he joined PTI again and started lobbying for the district nazim seat in Abbottabad. Much to his dismay, the name of former federal minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon’s son, Ali Khan Jadoon, was floated for the coveted post. Meanwhile the name of former provincial minister Sardar Ghulam Nabi’s son, Waqar Nabi, was suggested for naib nazim.

The decision drew the ire of countless PTI workers who have stood by the party through thick and thin. Ali, who is still in his 30s, has little political experience while Waqar has served as an executive engineer in the communication and works department.

Question of loyalty

An official privy to the development told The Express Tribune Bahadur has sacrificed a great deal for the party and should have been nominated as either district nazim or naib nazim.

He accused Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for allowing new entrants take charge. “A majority of these officials joined the party ranks a few months before the 2013 general elections,” he added.

Former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Yaqub also voiced similar reservations over the decision.

“There are some elements within the party that are displeased with the decision,” Yaqub said. “However, I have no objection over the nomination of Jadoon as the district nazim. However, I do have serious reservations over Waqar’s nomination.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2015.