Sher Afzal Marwat’s visit to Abbottabad stirs controversy

By Syed Kosar Naqvi
March 26, 2024
PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat addresses media persons at NPC Islamabad. — NNI/File

ABBOTTABAD: Ali Asghar Khan, the general secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and MNA from Abbottabad, has issued a message to PTI workers following a recent controversy during the visit of PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat to an Iftar dinner in Abbottabad.

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In his message, Asghar cautioned against actions that could harm the party’s interests. The controversy arose when Sher Afzal Marwat attended an Iftar dinner in Abbottabad, where party rebels and former speaker of KP Assembly Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani were present. Notably, several other MNAs and MPAs from Abbottabad, including Ali Asghar Khan, were absent from the event.

Reports suggested that the dinner, hosted by Sher Afzal Marwat’s close friend Shehzad Gul, who had previously been expelled from the party, raised concerns among party members.Ali Asghar Khan emphasised the importance of party loyalty and unity, particularly during challenging times for the party. He highlighted the need for full support for the party chief Imran Khan and cautioned against actions that could damage the party’s reputation.

Asghar’s message reflected the discontent among PTI workers over the perceived disregard for party principles during the event. He emphasised the importance of prioritising party affiliations over personal friendships.

Ali Asghar Khan remarked that the arrival of Marwat for the party in the vehicle of an individual previously ousted by the party has deeply disappointed loyal workers, causing them significant distress.

He expressed dissatisfaction with Sher Afzal Marwat’s actions, despite Marwat claiming personal friendship. He suggested that the invitation extended to other PTI leaders and workers for the event appeared to be a deliberate attempt to harm the party’s interests during its challenging period.

Ali Asghar Khan emphasised the need to prioritize party loyalty over personal friendships, indicating that the actions of some party members had disregarded this principle. He urged all members to focus on the party’s welfare above personal affiliations. When contacted, Ali Asghar Khan stated, “There was extreme resentment from the workers which forced me to issue my message. There is no further public comment on the subject.”

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