Differences crop up in Mardan PTI

MARDAN: The leaders of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have reportedly developed differences on the issue of local government election, sources said on Monday. It was learnt that Kaleemullah Toru, PTI Sports and Cultural Wing president for rural Mardan, held a workers convention on Sunday and invited the party lawmakers to the event. The sources added that some MPAs aligned with Atif Khan’s group allegedly asked the party workers not to attend the convention because of the close links of Kaleemullah Toru with the family of Federal Minister for Defense Pervez Khattak. Kaleemullah has reportedly started lobbying for the mayor slot of Mardan in the coming local government elections. Kaleemullah, the sources said, enjoyed the support of some party MPAs from Mardan. Sources added that Haris Khan Toru was also a strong candidate for the mayor slot. Talking to The News, Kaleemullah Toru said he held the workers' convention after eight years to strengthen the party.

He added he had invited provincial minister Atif Khan, federal minister Ali Mohammad Khan, all MPAs, MNAs and senators. He added that he had established the first office of PTI in Mardan district. However, he alleged that MPA Zahir Shah Toru had asked party workers not to attend the convection. Sources added that grouping in PTI would benefit the opposition parties particularly the Awami National Party in Mardan.