Islamabad (National Times) Strife within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continues to escalate as Sher Afzal Marwat demanded resignation from Shibli Faraz, saying that the party will only then be freed from the “qabza mafia”.
His demand came after Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Omar Ayub stepped down as the PTI Secretary General on Thursday, saying there would be more changes in the party’s organisational structure.
“I demand resignation of Shibli Faraz from party positions and as leader of the Opposition in Senate,” said Marwat, who has been at loggerheads with Faraz and other party leaders.
In May, outspoken Marwat also refused to work with Senator Faraz and Omar, saying they didn’t allow him to meet incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan.
Marwat’s remarks came after the party revoked his nomination for the post of National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman and named Sheikh Waqas Akram for the said office.
Following his remarks, Marwat was expelled from the party’s core and political committees on the directives of PTI founder. Later, the party also issued a show-cause notice to him for violating its code of conduct and policy.
Speaking about the party leadership, Marwat said that there are many instances where the leadership failed, adding that there are many examples of that including the party’s “bat” symbol and reserved seats issues.
“The core committee and political committees of the party consist of the favourites and the party decisions are not taken on merit,” claimed the PTI leader.
The politician said if the party leaders want him on the field, then they should raise their voice in favour of his demands. “If Shibli Faraz is removed [from PTI], then I promise the party will rise as per the need of the hour,” promised Marwart.
Tug-of-war inside PTI
Insiders told The News that Omar’s resignation is seen as a result of the ongoing tug-of-war inside PTI by some party members. They said that power politics within PTI threatens its unity inside and outside the Parliament.
Those left out or not consulted for PTI’s parliamentary party posts, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet and the composition of the core and political committees have been mainly blamed for this situation, insiders say.
Omar’s resignation, according to insiders, is that ex-minister Sheharyar Afridi has hinted at resigning from the National Assembly if the party’s state of affairs were not handled properly.
His announcement paved the way for several others to vent their anger as well. Reportedly, there are at least 27 legislators who have supported Afridi’s viewpoint and also indicated that they will either step down or form a group in the party.
The annoyed party members also complained that the parliamentary leaders in the Senate and the senior leadership in the National Assembly had compromised the campaign for Imran’s release over membership of the committees.
They have similarly accused other leaders of trying for leadership positions.
