Preparations for Islamabad showdown: Fissures in PTI as 10 lawmakers skip meetings of KP CM House

PESHAWAR: Fissures appeared in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as 10 lawmakers, including MNA Atif Khan and Junaid Akbar skipped crucial meetings that were held at the Chief Minister’s House to review preparations for the upcoming planned protest slated for November 24.

Sources told the Geo News that ahead of the PTI’s planned protest on November 24, a number of party members, including prominent figures, did not attend preparatory meetings held at the Chief Minister’s House recently.

According to the sources, 10 members were absent from these meetings. The notable absentees included MNAs Atif Khan and Junaid Akbar, along with Malakand MPA Shakil Khan. The sources said that four MPAs from Mardan, Swat, Nowshera, and Swabi also skipped the meeting.

They said that Atif Khan, Junaid Akbar and Shakil Khan skipped the meetings due to some reservations over non-provisions of financial support for the protest, while other members allegedly received funds to mobilise the workers.

Atif Khan told the Geo News that attending meetings was not important. “What matters is to mobilise workers for the protest,” he said. He said that he would cover his own expenses and travel to Islamabad from Mardan.

Talking to Geo News, MNA Junaid Akbar also reiterated his commitment to the party and said attending meetings was not mandatory. He said that he was aligned with PTI and would join the protest in Islamabad.

He voiced support for Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who he said, was appointed by the party’s founder, Imran Khan, to oversee the protest. Meanwhile, the PTI leadership reportedly linked the allocation of party tickets and positions to the participation of the lawmakers in the upcoming protest.

According to sources, Bushra Bibi, wife of Imran Khan, allegedly asked the party leaders to play a crucial role in the protest by promising party tickets and positions to deserving individuals. The sources said she asked the party leaders to ensure a good turnout in Islamabad and urged them to prioritize their presence at the protest.

PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai told the Geo News all members were invited to the meetings and it was up to them to attend or not. However, he dismissed the notion of running political movements based on incentives. “Movements are driven by passion, not by material rewards,” he said. He added that party members were committed and motivated.

Shaukat Yousafzai added that PTI workers had participated in the past movements without any personal gain and said that they would do so in on November 24. Former district nazim and PTI leader Muhammad Asim Khan dismissed the idea of pursuing positions or tickets.

“We are the PTI members who joined the party for its vision, not for titles or incentives,” he said. He reiterated Imran Khan’s principle of prioritizing dedicated and hardworking members for leadership roles. “We will comply with every directive issued by our party founder,” said Asim was the district nazim of Peshawar in the past.