PTI lawmakers question long march strategy, press for talks

ISLAMABAD: Members of the joint parliamentary party of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed serious reservations about the long march strategy at a meeting. The meeting was chaired by Barrister Gohar. It discussed the political situation, the governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the alleged disappearance of members.

According to sources, members asked why Plans A, B, C and D were mentioned so often when no practical plan had emerged. They said they were not taken into confidence when the strategy was drawn up. They said this failed strategy had cost the party its government in one province, yet no response from the party was visible. Members also questioned the decision to assign Mahmood Khan Achakzai the task of holding talks, and the failure of political contacts.

Members proposed ending the silence on the governor’s rule and emergency and making the parliamentary party active. Consultations were also held on whether to continue talks with the government or widen the scope of protest.

According to sources, the meeting expressed full confidence in Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas. It also agreed to strengthen the forum of the parliamentary committee alongside the core committee and the political committee.

Fauzia Arshad called statements by members against their own party in the media a matter of concern. She asked the party chairman to hold an inquiry. Mishal Yousafzai expressed no confidence in Sohail Afridi and the opposition leadership. She said the founder was ill, yet Sohail Afridi was worried about the long march rather than talks.

Asad Qaiser defended Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas, saying the founder had trusted all of them. Shafqat Awan said blame should not be put on members or on Sohail Afridi. He claimed that even a member of the governor’s rule committee on terrorism held the same position as Sohail Afridi. He said such statements were weakening the party, and that members were blaming their own colleagues instead of giving the government a tough time.

According to sources, most members insisted on holding talks at any cost. When Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said “talks” three times, participants applauded.

According to The Express Tribune, emergency and governor’s rule were imposed in the province on 11 October after talks between the government and the opposition failed. This followed the long march that began on 4 October. The newspaper reported that on the same day 59 workers were arrested in Swabi and six in Khyber district. Reports also came of the detention of Sohail Afridi and Junaid Akbar. Barrister Gohar later issued a notification saying Junaid Akbar would remain provincial president. In his absence, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and then Ali Asghar will chair meetings.