PTI in turmoil after party expels another MPA

Imran unaware of matters and inner rifts will prove damaging, says party member

PESHAWAR:

Turmoil deepens within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as senior party members express feelings of distrust after MPAs and MNAs were expelled or reprimanded for misconduct and corruption. They demanded PTI Chairperson Imran Khan personally investigate charges before committee reaches any such decisions.

A statement issued under the name of Shah Mehmood Qureshi on November 8, said the party’s disciplinary committee had reached conclusions regarding several party members; decisions approved by Imran.



Amjad Afridi, who held the position of adviser to the chief minister on sports, culture and museums, was expelled from PTI “for his conduct in local government elections”, said the statement. Amjad is the second PTI MPA after Ziaullah Afridi to have been expelled.

It is believed Amjad was heading a forward bloc within the party and was aided by at least a dozen other MPAs. This group had been giving PTI a tough time while making internal decisions.

A lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity said it would be difficult for the ruling party to make an impact with so many sporadic changes. “We’ve supported accountability,” he said, “But the public demands services with said accountability.” The lawmaker was referring to voting patterns of the future. “It’s difficult to look forward if you know the axe is always hanging above your head.”



Dazed and confused

A PTI member, also requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune a majority of the workers were concerned over the expulsion of party ministers. The current situation has weakened the position of PTI, he said. “The crisis will deepen as dissidents have divided PTI into groups,” he added.

He said Imran was unaware of various party matters and inner division and rifts in PTI will prove damaging. The PTI-led government has taken stern actions against its party members.

Former minister Ziaullah Afridi’s arrest by Ehtesab Commission was not an isolated incident. Now the provincial accountability body has been marred by controversy. Meanwhile, more than 50 PTI candidates from local bodies’ elections are waiting for their fate to decided.

One senior PTI member said, “There were at least three main functional lobbies within PTI K-P’s hierarchy but none so powerful that it could stand against decisions—even those with visible flaws—made by the central  leadership.”



Of reprimands

When contacted, PTI MPA Arif Yousaf, who is set to be reprimanded according to the notification, refuted “allegations”.

According to Yousaf, the disciplinary committee has wrongly implicated his name. However, the MPA added he discussed the issue with Imran and would accept the decision of the party wholeheartedly.

MPA Yasin Khalil, also accused of misconduct, defended his position, saying he had submitted an explanation to the committee and would also submit an appeal to the party chief, in a bid to prove his innocence. According to the notification, Khalil was barred from holding “any position in the party or the government”.



He added he had joined PTI as a worker and such “hurdles” will not stop him from working in the best interests of the party.

More in hot water

Sunday’s notification also stated MNA Shehryar Afridi and MPA Ziaullah Bangash “had acted irresponsibly”, however it did not clarify how so.

Meanwhile, the committee decided Senator Azam Swati “failed to adequately protect the interests of the party […] shall have no role in the affairs of PTI Mansehra in future”.  A reprimand will be issued to him.

After LG polls, PTI issued notices to Swati, and Shehryar, among other MPAs, providing them a right to defend themselves.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2015.