Political gathering arranged by Khwaja Hoti creates stir

PESHAWAR: The recent meeting of former and sitting elected representatives from different political parties has created a stir within the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and other parties.

The former federal minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti had convened meeting-cum-dinner in Islamabad for leaders from almost all KP districts, including the merged ones.

Khwaja Khan had invited representatives from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Qaumi Watan Party, Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, independents and budding leaders, candidates, divisional and district presidents from different districts besides his own party PPP.

The organizers said the JUI and QWP representatives could not attend the dinner due to their engagements.

The host suggested to the guests to concentrate on issues confronting the people, avoid unnecessary criticism and talk of the importance of peace and security of own people after the withdrawal of the Nato forces from Afghanistan. He said the people had suffered a lot during militancy in the past and it was time to collectively work for the welfare and security of the people.

The guests praised the host for an inclusive invitation and allowing everyone to speak at the event.

Though Khwaja Muhammad Khan was lauded for providing an opportunity to leaders to sit together and discuss provincial issues, many questioned as to whether it was merely a dinner or there was something more to it?

They put under question the purpose and motives for such a grand jirga and whether it would be converted into a movement in future.

When asked, Khwaja Muhammad Khan said he had hosted only a dinner for his friends, saying there was nothing special about that.

“Whenever politicians get together, they discuss people’s problems. It was the need of the hour to collectively work for the achievement of provincial rights and maintaining peace for the welfare and security of the people,” he explained.

Some senior guests, however, told The News that Khwaja Muhammad Khan’s dinner was a preparation for the next general elections.

They believed that such meetings and dinners would continue in future in different cities and far-flung areas of KP and would yield results for the people of the province.