LAKKI MARWAT: Differences between two factions of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have widened further as both would separately take caravans to Rawalpindi to participate in the party’s “Haqeeqi Azadi” march today (Saturday).

Sources privy to both factions said the party had split into two groups when former provincial social welfare minister Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan was removed from the cabinet last year apparently at the behest of then federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

They said some local party leaders were also behind the move to pave way for removal of Dr Hisham from the post of provincial minister.

In a recent audio leak, Mr Gandapur accused the former provincial minister of selling government jobs and taking commission in uplift projects, claimed the sources, saying Mr Gandapur had also declared former federal minister Salim Saifullah Khan a turncoat.

They said the audio leak added fuel to the fire and brought both factions at loggerheads.

A faction led by PTI’s district president Johar Mohammad Khan Advocate has asked the party workers to gather at the party’s district secretariat near the Lakki city to set out for Rawalpindi in a motorcade.

Mr Johar has the support of former district nazim Ishfaq Ahmad Khan Meenakhel, former district naib nazim Haji Arab Khan and other key party leaders, including Ihsanullah Khan, Tariq Saeed Khan, Salim Multani, Dr Mohammad Iqbal and Tauseef Ahmad Khan.

On the other hand, former minister Dr Hisham Inamullah arrived here from Islamabad on Friday to mobilise workers and his supporters for the march.

Sources said Dr Hisham would lead a big procession to Rawalpindi to show his political strength. Lakki and Ghaznikhel tehsil councils’ chairmen Shafqatullah Khan and Zeshan Khan and PTI activists, supporters of Saifullah brothers, Marwat Ittehad group and Marwat and Betanni tribesmen will join his procession.

A rally from Kurrum Par area led by former provincial assembly candidate Malik Najibullah Khan will also join his procession on the outskirts of Lakki city.

“By showing his political strength, Dr Hisham wants to convey a clear message to the provincial and central leaderships to stop Amin Gandapur from meddling into the political matters in the district as it can damage PTI,” they said.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2022