Can politics of reconciliation secure PTI’s future?

Since assuming office, Khattak has been on relationship-building mission, maintaining good ties with political forces

PESHAWAR:

Appointing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf dissident MPA Javed Nasim as parliamentary secretary and welcoming Qaumi Watan Party back to the coalition are being seen by many as Chief Minister Pervez Khattak’s efforts to secure the future of his government beyond 2018. However, some add it also shows Khattak is not fully comfortable ahead of the next general elections.

Since assuming office, Khattak has been on a relationship-building mission, maintaining cordial ties with all political forces except Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Awami National Party. Even Pakistan Peoples Party leaders and the chief minister are said to be on good terms.

Further reconciliation

The notification of Nasim as the party’s parliamentary secretary late on October 8 was a surprise not just for the media, but also for the leading PTI figures. “Nobody in the provincial leadership was aware,” says a party stalwart. “Only Imran Khan and Pervez Khattak are aware of the terms and conditions for Nasim’s return to the fray.”

Nasim’s differences with the party’s top leadership in general and Khattak in particular erupted soon after PTI came into power in July 2013. The former was one of the founders of the 12-member forward block fighting for ministerial posts and other official slots. The group later grew to 20, but the threat was quelled when three members were given offices including a position in the cabinet.

However, Nasim, along with head of the group, was neglected by Khattak. The dissident MPA showed his frustration in March, 2015, when he proposed the names of two brothers, who later became members of QWP, for Senate berths.

Nasim was ultimately disallowed from voting in the elections and his party membership was suspended. Speaker Asad Qaisar also filed a formal reference with the Election Commission of Pakistan to have him removed from the provincial legislature. However, the ECP set aside the speaker’s reference and allowed the dissident PTI member to attend assembly sessions.

Where they stand

Even before PTI patched up with QWP and Nasim, Yousafzai successfully managed to get back into the good books of Imran and Khattak. However, the PTI leaders seem less willing to open their hearts for Khalil. Insiders say efforts are also afoot for reconciliation with Ziaullah Afridi. The ousted minister for mines and minerals is facing charges of corruption and has been behind bars since June, 2015. It has been reported some PTI leaders, including a provincial minister, are mediating between Khattak and Afridi.

For his part, the former minister has reaffirmed his loyalty to Imran. “He was my leader, is my leader and will be my leader,” Afridi stated recently.

JUI-F MPA Mufti Fazal Ghafoor agrees Khattak is doing his best to corner the only two opposition parties, adding the chief minister is on good terms with PML-N. However, he believes Nasim’s return is nothing more than a “political bribe”. Ghafoor points out Nasim publically opposed PTI’s policies and criticised the leadership.

However, PTI’s K-P Assembly parliamentary leader Shaukat Ali Yousafzai defends the decision. “Though he made mistakes, he is one of our most dedicated and sincere workers.” He says the internal squabble was resolved in the greater interest of the party.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2015.