The logical move : PTI, AJIP set to merge on November 1

Imran Khan scheduled to visit Tarakai House

SWABI: The Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP), headed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health Shahram Khan Tarakai, will formally merge with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf on November 1. This was stated by the minister at a high-level meeting at Tarakai House in Swabi.

PTI Chairperson Imran Khan is scheduled to attend a conference at Tarakai House in Swabi where the AJIP leaders will make the announcement.

Besides Tarakai, the meeting was also attended by MNA Usman Tarakai and others. At the conclusion of the daylong session, AIJP leaders said Imran would be accompanied by Jehangir Tareen, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and others on his visit. On the day of the declaration, all AJIP workers would be merged into the PTI.

And again?

The AIJP had earlier declared a merger with PTI on August 14, but the matter was delayed as senior minister and party chief Shahram was abroad.

Liaqat Khan, the father of Shahram, has already joined the PTI and was elected to the upper house on its ticket.

The PTI, meanwhile, terminated the membership of MPA Babar Khan a few days ago. It is said Babar was considered a hurdle in the merger.

PTI Central Organiser Jahangir Khan Tareen is said to have played a pivotal role in this merger. Shahram is said to be on good terms with the PTI leader.

Initially, not everyone was pleased with the integration. PTI stalwarts from Swabi, headed by K-P Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, vehemently opposed the idea. However, after holding a detailed meeting in Marghuz Town in the district, they came around to the idea.

Emerging on the political scene before the 2008 general elections, AJIP gave a tough time to Awami National Party in its stronghold, Swabi. In the first year of its inception, it managed to secure a berth each in the national and K-P assemblies.

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