Intra-party rifts: Workers in Malakand revolt against PML-N leadership

Leaders, workers organise protests against central, provincial administrations.

BATKHELA: Leaders and workers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in Malakand Division have announced a revolution against the central and provincial leaderships and adviser to Prime Minister Amir Muqam.

The announcement was made during a meeting held in Ala Dhand Dherai, Batkhela on Sunday.

A large number of PML-N leaders from Swat, Buner, Malakand, Dir and Shangla also participated on the occasion. Provincial senior vice president Waqif Khan, vice president Haji Ayub Khan and district office-bearers from various districts were also in attendance.

Speaking on the occasion, Waqif said they will participate in the protest in Islamabad on November 20 against the federal and provincial leaderships of the party.

“PML-N is not under the ownership of a single person and the decision of one individual cannot be imposed on all,” said one of the speakers. Others complained that a few provincial leaders have hijacked the party by ignoring workers across the province. They added Muqam preferred Shangla in all matters, while Governor Mehtab Ahmad Khan had closed his doors for the workers. The speaker said Rehmat Salam Khattak and Iqbal Zafar Jhagra were also pursuing their own narrow interests.

PML-N workers and leaders said they will continue to protest till they are granted their due rights. Meanwhile, party workers in Malakand criticised the district president and general secretary for expelling and restoring members without any protocol.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2015.