THERE seems to be no end to the process of fragmentation of the former ruling party – PTI – as it received another major blow on Monday when the party almost vanished away from its stronghold of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Former Chief Minister Pervez Khattak launched his new political party under the name of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTIP), highlighting his differences with the PTI Chairman’s ‘anti-country agenda’. He claimed the support of 57 former assembly members and politicians and that twenty more would join his party with the passage of time.
This is, of course, a significant development that will have implications for the political future of the province, where the PTI ruled for about two tenures. There were rumours that Pervez Khattak was in contact with the PML(N) but his decision to form a new political entity means he intends to keep his options open and wait for the outcome of the general election and performance of his own party in the polls. Political analysts point out that Pervez Khattak might not be a popular leader but he is surely deft at drawing room politics. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan claims the desertions would not impact popularity of his party as anyone getting a ticket of the party could easily make his ways to the assemblies but departure of so many prominent and active leaders would have far reaching consequences for the party. Already, a good number of PTI’s former lawmakers and ticket holders joined ranks with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party in Punjab and together this would be an irreparable loss to the party’s electoral prospects. The PTI would also suffer in elections if these former insiders decided to reveal different stories during the election campaign as has already been indicated by Pervez Khattak, who said it is a big secret as to why the PTI rejected the offers of general elections three to four times. In fact, the situation arising out of May 09 incidents is so uncertain and fluid that even Imran Khan finds it impossible to name a personality to lead the party in case of legal challenges to his own leadership. The beginning of trials in military courts could prove to be a decisive factor for the future of the party.
