Pakistan: Formation of forward bloc possible as differences engulf PTI

Internal rifts have been posing a serious threat to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) recently, as several founding members have either left or been sidelined by newcomers who registered themselves with the party just before the general elections last year.

Many who struggled to establish PTI in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) now refuse to attend party meetings and lament the current situation, saying that businessmen and billionaires have hijacked the PTI.

A sense of ‘partition’ prevails as PTI Nazriati is expected to emerge with over 20 members of the provincial assembly belonging to different districts, including Peshawar, Mardan and Swat.

Party sources told The Express Tribune that many loyal supporters had been expressing their grievances, but could not complain publicly. However, with the recent reshuffling in the K-P cabinet and relentless interference from the centre, the differences have surfaced and a forward bloc seems to be in the making.

A party source, requesting anonymity, questioned why only the health ministry was reshuffled and cited the long tussle between former health minister Shaukat Yousafzai and PTI Central General Secretary Jehangir Tareen over shutting down Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), a project reportedly being looked over by Tareen.

The source alleged nonstop interference in provincial party issues by Tareen, adding, “The central leadership of PTI is putting unnecessary pressure on the provincial government and this interference may disintegrate the party in K-P. I can see a forward bloc in the making.”

The PTI source seconded a statement issued by former information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, where he claimed the party may have removed Qaumi Watan Party MPAs over corruption allegations, but had failed to keep a check on corruption in their own party. The source added that K-P Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has also expressed deep reservations over Shahram Tarakai’s additional charge of the health ministry besides being a senior K-P minister; while Javed Naseem’s resignation from the standing committee is another sign of internal strife, since he was refused a promised portfolio in the provincial cabinet. Jehangir Tareen, Azam Swati and the party spokesperson Shireen Mazari could not be contacted despite several attempts.