Khattak is one of the best-known politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but his recent inclusion in the cabinet has left many unsettled
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he inclusion of Pervez Khattak in the federal cabinet as an adviser to the prime minister has taken many political pundits by surprise. The disbelief stems from the fact that he has joined hands with politicians he, his previous party and its leaders had once labelled as ‘thieves and dacoits.’
Khattak is one of the most powerful politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Many believe that if anyone could bridge the gap between Imran Khan and the Establishment, it would be him. He has reportedly claimed that he has the ability to achieve rapprochement. However, by joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz led cabinet, he has put his political career at stake. But this is not the first time a Pakistani politician has done that.
Although he was making some waves by meeting important people and demonstrating his strength at a recent rally, there was little indication that he would align with the PML-N. Whether he made the choice independently or was pushed into it remains unclear. Some of his former close aides believe that his political journey was already over but by making this decision, he has driven the final nail in the proverbial coffin.
As a seasoned politician, many think he cannot be kept dormant for long. Many of his younger family members are active in parliamentary politics because of him. They probably couldn’t afford his idleness. Politics is often pursued not for public service, but to protect family interests by being a part of some legislature. A politician out of the political arena is like a fish out of water. He had to come out of his hibernation one way or another.
People close to him know him as a decent man and are not ready to accept the notion that he is an opportunist. Leaving a strong ideological party, it was appropriate for him, like many of his other deserter colleagues, not to immediately join another party. He decided to establish his own party in 2023 (PTI Parliamentarians), which is now headed by former chief minister Mehmood Khan. However, the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections made him disappear from politics for some time.
He suddenly regained proactiveness in the new year, likely following his crucial meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on December 12, 2024, at his residence. Although not the minister’s usual domain, the brief official statement issued afterward by the Ministry of Interior mentioned that the “overall political situation in the country” was discussed. The message to him was apparently clear: deserting the PTI was not enough; he must align with the Establishment.
The meeting led to rumours about Khattak joining the Pakistan Peoples Party. But these soon died down and new ones about PML-N began surfacing. This led to resentment in the PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter. His meeting with Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl leader Maulana Fazl-ur Rehman also led to similar reactions. Some JUI cadres couldn’t digest his joining their ranks.
Instead, the aged Khattak decided to first show his public strength by holding a rally in his native Manki Sharif. Many believe that the idea was to demonstrate to the parties, and the powers that be, that despite the election debacle, he still commanded support on the streets. His hard work of two months preparing for the rally ultimately paid off, and he was included in the federal cabinet. For him, joining the PML-N-led government is like a 180-degree turn.
Party insiders and close friends say the decision to join the cabinet was surprising even for some of his close relatives including his nephew, the former two-term MNA from Manki Sharif, Dr Imran Khattak.
Pervez Khattak is not very fond of talking to the media. So what transpired behind closed doors may never come out. However, many suspect that his brother Liaquat Khattak might be one of the reasons he joined the cabinet. Liaquat Khan Khattak is a more ambitious and interesting character in many respects than his brother. He won a provincial seat on a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf ticket and became the provincial irrigation minister but was later removed by then chief minister Mehmood Khan for supporting a PML-N candidate in the Nowshera by-elections. Some PTI workers claim that the decision was taken after a proper inquiry into the matter. However, Liaquat denies the allegations.
Reports of differences between the two brothers also made news in the past but the matters were later ironed out. Many believe that Liaquat was the architect of this move to land a cabinet slot. He does not want his brother to lose his importance and political shine. Liaquat was seen accompanying Pervez Khattak in several meetings he recently had with important party leaders.
Whatever the reason, he is now on the hybrid PML-N-Establishment bandwagon. Some believe that he will be used to further weaken PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The area he is assigned to look after as an adviser will reveal the government’s intentions. If it is related to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, many believe he will be allowed to make inroads through the provincial bureaucracy. He is known for his ability to get things done through the bureaucracy. His five-year term as a chief minister is a good example.
His appointment has caused a stir in all directions. From the ruling PML-N to the PTI, everyone is keenly following the evolving situation. The experienced Aitchisonian’s decision will have far-reaching consequences. He will be seen as a boost to the Establishment’s share in the cabinet. Can he afford it?
The writer, a journalist for 33 years, has been an editor at the BBC in Pakistan for over two decades. Currently, he is the managing editor at Independent Urdu