Khattak claims PTI holds ‘fake’ intra-party polls

NOWSHERA: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-Parliamentarians (PTIP) Chairman and former defence minister Pervez Khattak on Sunday criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for what he said was conducting a ‘fake’ intra-party election.

Addressing a gathering of party workers here, he said that the PTI had a history of holding fraudulent intra-party elections. Calling for democracy in the political parties, he alleged that the PTI’s intra-party elections were carried out on paper.

The PTI elected Barrister Gohar Khan as its new chairman after being nominated by former prime minister Imran Khan, who is languishing in jail and is facing cases registered against him.

Pervez Khattak claimed that the PTI formed its government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to his efforts as he brought electables to the party. He said that Imran Khan was an arrogant person who did not listen to the advice of his colleagues. He said that those calling for a level-playing field were trying to make the next general election controversial, adding that it was an attempt to escape from the elections.

He said that his party would field candidates for all the constituencies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and win the election on the strength of his popularity. “Former chief minister Mahmood Khan served the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and executed record uplift projects in the province,” he said, adding Imran Niazi had become a puppet in the hands of a few opportunists, who used him for their vested interests.

He also held the past rulers responsible for the prevailing economic crisis.

However, the PTIP leader hailed the efforts of Chief of Army Staff General Asif Munir and his team to pull the country out of crises. “The COAS visited several countries and highlighted the true face of the country. And the country will soon come out of economic problems due to these efforts,” he added.

He urged the people to elect honest people in the February 8 general elections to put the country on the road to progress.

Khattak also hinted at electoral alliance and seat adjustments with religio-political parties. “I will field my best team and give a surprise to the rivals in the election,” he went on to add.