Lahore:
KP cm Ali Amin Gandapur’s visit to Punjab was primarily aimed at gathering support for the PTI Senate ticket holder from KP, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, a candidate who is reportedly facing internal accusations of securing his ticket on unreasonable means.
A well-placed PTI source, who spoke with Express Pakinomist, claimed that the nature of the PTI convo, led by CM Gandapur to Afridi’s residence, appeared “extraordinary”.
He said the event gave the impression that the “powers that were” had made an exception to this rally, but later the development suggested a more complex image. The parliamentary party dinner at Afridi’s farm revealed the true purpose of the visit, namely to gather support from party MPAs in favor of Afridis.
He noted that within PTI there are two statements about the ticket’s allocation, with the dominant view that it involved poor play.
The lavish eateries and lodging events raised concerns within the party. Afridi is accused of having the cutlery for a Senate nomination and allegedly sidelined of a loyal party worker who, according to the source, is nominated for the portfolio of the party’s information secretary KP. Furthermore, it was claimed that the Gandapur-led provincial government fully supported Afridi. The question will be taken up with Imran Khan at Tuesday’s meeting with an effort to reversing the decision.
In a speech with Express Pakinomist, OPP leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar said the event was organized by KP CM and the provincial government.
However, he rejected the impression that police were expanding a “red blanket” to the convoy. “The convoy led by a sitting minister of chief and cabinet was entitled to police security. There were arrests and relaying charges against our workers … so the hint that the event enjoyed the company’s blessings is wrong, at least in this regard.”
KP Information Minister Barrister Saif was contacted for comments but was not available.
