In a significant political development, leaders of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have created a new political party. This represents a significant blow to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s political authority.
Reliable sources reveal that former defence minister and KP chief minister Pervez Khattak is set to lead this new political faction. Their party’s manifesto and flag have already been finalized, with three potential names – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians, Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan, and Muttahidda Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan – being considered.
The Rise and Fall of Pervez Khattak
Khattak, previously serving as PTI’s secretary general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister during the PTI administration, resigned from his role as PTI KP president following the chaos of May 9. He was later expelled from the party for failing to respond to a “show cause notice”. Although the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) reached out to Khattak, inviting him to join their ranks, Khattak decided to establish his own political entity. His decision follows extensive discussions with PTI leaders and ‘electives’ from various political parties. Over 50 former members of the national and provincial assemblies are anticipated to align with the new party.
Furthermore, inside sources disclose that legal cases will be pursued against Imran Khan under the Army Act in addition to current cases overseen by the Election Commission of Pakistan and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Certain close associates of the former prime minister and bureaucrats are set to turn approvers against him, contributing to an intensified political confrontation.
Meanwhile, as Khattak’s new party prepares for its official launch, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) Chief Jahangir Khan Tareen assures that leaders Aun Chaudhry and Nauman Langrial will retain their positions in the federal cabinet until the government’s term is fulfilled. As the political landscape of Pakistan undergoes significant changes, the new party led by Khattak is expected to have a considerable impact on the country’s future.
