Negotiations
In a recent revelation, former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda asserted that Imran Khan’s decision not to contest for the party chairmanship could lead to internal divisions. Speaking on the talk show “Rubaroo with Shaukat Piracha” on Friday, Vawda stated that the intra-party elections signaled the emergence of a lawyer group within PTI. He claimed that Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Khan’s sisters, and wife were also vying for power.
Vawda suggested that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was monitoring the situation, anticipating which PTI splinter groups might join them to strengthen their position in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and South Punjab.
Highlighting the internal dynamics of PTI, Vawda noted that Imran Khan was eagerly awaiting a deal but had not been offered anything. He remarked on the uniqueness of PTI’s culture, where, apart from Khan, no one else held significant influence, a sentiment he claimed the current party leadership had forgotten.
Discussing the perception of the establishment’s role in politics, Vawda contended that it was the judiciary, not the establishment, that identified and propelled leaders into power. He emphasized the judiciary’s influence through what he referred to as ‘historic’ decisions, citing examples such as Asif Zardari’s imprisonment and Imran Khan’s “sadiq and ameen” declaration.
Vawda also commented on the appointments within PTI, stating that Gohar Khan, appointed by Khan, would likely align with the leader’s wishes. However, he expressed skepticism about the party’s discipline and criticized the treatment of Sher Afzal Marwat for reporting accurately.
Predicting the political landscape, Vawda suggested that the next government might resemble a “Pakistan Democratic Movement part two.” He anticipated smaller parties forming alliances, with the PPP seeking control over a province while aiming for the presidency.
Despite election campaign rhetoric, Vawda concluded that the country’s political landscape was unlikely to witness significant change. Overall, Vawda predicts Imran Khan’s decision not to contest party chairmanship will trigger divisions, foreseeing a PDM ‘part two’ in negotiations.
