By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: In a major shake-up within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s main opposition party, 11 lawmakers from Gilgit-Baltistan, including Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, have been stripped of their party membership for forming a dissident bloc and voting against party policy, according to termination letters issued by PTI.
The expulsions highlight growing internal divisions within PTI, founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, as it navigates dissent and mounting political challenges in the volatile northern and western regions.
In addition to Khan, the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly members ousted include Surayya Zaman, Shamsul Haq Lone, Raja Nasir Khan Maqpoon, Raja Azam Khan Amacha, Syed Amjad Zaidi, Mushtaq Ahmad, Haji Shah Baig, Dilshad Bano, Abdul Hameed, and Fazal Rahim.
The termination notices, issued by PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi, carried identical language. “This letter serves as formal notice of termination of your membership, effective immediately,” the letters stated. “This decision has been made in accordance with party’s policy and procedures. The reason for this termination is your actions in the GB Assembly, specifically making a forward bloc and voting against the party decision, which is a clear violation of our party’s policy.” The notices added: “Your actions have caused harm to the party’s interests and reputation.”
The lawmakers were instructed to “refrain from using party’s [PTI] name, designation and/or membership in any manner or whatsoever, failing which the party reserves to take action against you which may also lead to legal action.” A PTI insider, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested the expulsions might have little impact, alleging that the “whole system” was backing the dissident lawmakers.
In a related move, PTI issued a show-cause notice to former Gilgit-Baltistan governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon, according to Dawn.com. Dated Sept. 5, the notice accused Maqpoon of “conspiring against the party and approaching party members for defection.” “In view of these reported activities, you are hereby called to explain yourself in writing within two days of this notice,” the notice stated. “If your reply is unsatisfactory or you do not respond, further action will be taken as per party policy and rules.”
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
