PESHAWAR: More than 30 members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly remained absent from a crucial parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, signaling deepening unrest within the party ranks against Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The meeting, led by CM Afridi, was held at the Chief Minister’s House. According to sources, the parliamentary party consists of 92 members, but over 30 lawmakers—including prominent figures—chose to skip the session.
Sources identified absentees as Ali Amin Gandapur, Fazal Elahi, Nek Muhammad, and others. Most of the disgruntled members cited being “out of the country” or having “other commitments” as the reason for their non-participation.
However, insiders revealed that the real cause is widespread anger among legislators over cabinet portfolios and development works. “Many members are angry with the CM on cabinet-related matters. Some have complaints regarding development works and constituency-related issues,” a source said.
The development comes just days after reports emerged that more than 20 PTI MPAs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are unhappy with CM Afridi. Sources indicate that a separate meeting of angry lawmakers is likely to be called soon to discuss their concerns and decide on a future strategy.
In a bid to contain the situation, CM Sohail Afridi has mobilized to appease the unhappy MPAs. Meanwhile, in a sharp warning to potential rebels, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan threatened strict action.
“If a Forward Block is formed, people will come forward. And if even one person takes such a step, KP’s land will be restricted for them,” Shafi Jan said, in an apparent warning that dissenters could face political or administrative consequences.
