102
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafqat Mehmood stepped down from the post of party organiser in Lahore for what he called the party's poor performance in the local government polls.
Mehmood posted a message on the social media saying, “it is my moral duty to accept responsibility for this (party’s) poor performance.”
The PTI’s leader acknowledged that PTI performed much worse than the expectations during the recently held local body polls in Lahore on October 31.
The party workers and organisers did their best but the best was not good enough, he maintained.
The first phase of local body elections was held on Saturday.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party looked set to emerge as the leading groups in Punjab and Sindh respectively according to the unofficial results received so far.
Voters tried to make the most of a much-awaited opportunity to elect their representatives at the grassroots.
Although polling in most areas was by and large peaceful, Khairpur saw deadly violence when supporters of PPP and PML-F fought a gunbattle which claimed 11 lives.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (102) Closed
Nov 01, 2015 05:22pm
Poor pti.
I am sure still u guys not learnt lesson and will come up with bogus claims of fraud in elections.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:29pm
Instead of Dharna if PTI would have concentrated in making KPK an exemplary Province by good governance, the results of LG elections would have been different.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:29pm
For inevitable change, it’s really good to realign yourself but must learn some bad tactics to cope with worst enemies; the only thing you are lacking.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:35pm
Very positive gesture, this is the way to move forward, learn from your mistakes and get back with full force. Best Of luck PTI.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:36pm
Looks to me the end of PTI is not to far away.
Very soon the one who jumped on to the PTI band wagon will abandon the sinking ship. But this will be good for the loyal worker of PTI, who will work hard to restart the party from the start, before it was joined by these carpetbaggers from other parties.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:36pm
He sounds like a sensible and dignified man, but sadly his party leader isn't.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:41pm
Only people to be kicked out is paratroppers like Ch Sarwar , Aleem Khan , JKT and Parvez Khatak. still trust IK but not with this hijackers . IK please trust Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed's verdict. Remove this dirty power hungry wolfs from your team. Everyone knows that you are honest and Non-Corrupt but when you speak against corruption and then you have these people with you then that does bot work. IK Sir Please go back to clean politics. Please Please Please Remove those above mentioned guys and that leeches Sheikh Rasheed from your stage. Please stop senseless people like Ali Mohd , Ibrar-Ul-Huq and Faiyaz Chavan from representing PTI in public. These all guys are illiterate and dirty mouthed like Talal Choudhry and Abid Sherali...
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:54pm
Soon we'll be hearing the mantra of 'dhandli, dhandli', let IK resurface whose presence is surprisingly missing from the BD elections. Where is he BTW?
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:55pm
Local body elections are personality based not party based, Noon league is mature and smart enough that they know well about constituency politics, how to select best horse, how to manipulate for his success and same is the weakness of PTI,
PTI has Poor management at grass root, their door to door campaign is poor, they depend upon popularity which is not the case always
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 05:59pm
Well this was expected when you are gonna wait more then two years to hold the elections in the province, gave 'em enough time to butter up.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:04pm
At least someone has conscious. Otherwise no one voluntarily resigns from their cushy seats!
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:14pm
At least someone had the courage to resign to take moral responsibility.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:18pm
there is a pattern to these lb elections,the party in power wins,simple as that.........
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:19pm
well done Mr Shafqat, you showed to way how its done. good.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:20pm
PTI is a sister company of Jamat Islami which is a dying breed except in KPK . And people getting this fact. So good going real democratic parties PPP And PML.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:26pm
He is serious and mature person who gladly accepted the mistakes in account of PTI. As a whole PTI did not play good, mature and sensible politics.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:30pm
Time for PTI to reflect internally and take bold decisions. The rhetoric of rigging, dharnas and negative politics have back fired. Time to focus on delivery and positivity.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:30pm
I have great respect for Mr.Shafqat and highly appreciate the bold step which he has taken after the defeat of Pti in LB elections,especially in Lahore. This is a courageous step which he has taken because as a rule nobody resigns from his seat what ever goes on.
I will appreciate more if all other organizers who did not perform in the LB elections step down from their positions. It will add respect to their damaged performance and repute.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:31pm
Great shafqat mehmood.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:32pm
Winning is not for honest people, simply.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:40pm
LG polls are never the indicators of whats going to happen in General elections. Both have totally different dynamics. People want to vote for government in power. There is no ideology at local government level. PML-Q won most seats in 2005 local government elections and what happened in GE-2008 is before us. Those people who want to know about KPK government performance just check out this PILDAT survey about governance in all provinces where KP is miles ahead of Punjab and others. http://www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=806
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:45pm
In Punjab and Sindh people don't want change. They are happy with status quo. They are happy with cosmetic change, like low standard roads, bridges, etc and can endure politicised institutions.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:48pm
They'll blame rigging, of course. And the reality is all this obsession with rigging is what will bring down PTI.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:50pm
If anybody studies history of Sindh and Punjab, they subdued easily to aggressors, landlords and now industrialists. If people don't want to change themselves how can others change their fate
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:51pm
The whole leadership of PTI should resign due to this debacle.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:51pm
Shafqat M has indeed proved he has a lot of class! Hope Ch Sarwar and JKT learn from SM and resIgn as well.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:53pm
@AQ
The problem with PTI is you have a bad message. If KPK is truly so advanced, and I'm not 100% sure it is, then the fact is that Imran khan has completely obscured this with his election drama and rigging. The only people see about PTI is that it constantly talks about dharna, and that it's way too comfortable with the idea of military coups. People haven't forgotten that this party which speaks of democracy has a big army following, and requested army to depose a democratically elected prime minister.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:54pm
it was expected and it happened in the same way. What i observed on contacting the senior officials of PTI, especially the elected MNA Mr. Shafqat Mahmood and MPA Doctor Murad Rass..... to survey their constituencies to resolve the issues of common people but answered was " that is not an our issue/problem and this will be the matter of local bodies govt." Then how u expect that common person vote u .They never saw you in your constituencies. so grievances are there.
Don't sit in your offices.... you people have still few years for General Election.... so figure out weakness and try to touch every class of people ........
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 06:56pm
PTI got real support but unfortunately people like Shafqat does not know how to capitalize it. Poor PTI and poor supporters.....
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:03pm
Imran needs a sensible leader in his party who could make decision on his behalf without getting emotional. PTI has gotten some serious blow backs in the last month or so which is very damaging for the party. People losing faith in Imran's abilities. What Imran needs to do now is first clear his Reham issue as soon as possible and then re-organize his patty on all levels. Stop bashing nawaz and do some work in kpk. No one likes when pti use abusive language against their opponents and it gives away negative impression of the party. Nawaz is doing a great job, please learn to Co-exist and perhaps occasionally say something nice to good steps taken by the government. We want Imran as next PM but for that prove that you are worth it.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:10pm
At last Insafians start give up.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:17pm
LB are generally won by the sitting government. No surprise. Important thing is that they happened and I wait to see if SS transfers the power and money to local people !
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:31pm
Great Shafqat a real sign of democratic leader ship. PTI can improve and this the hope of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:36pm
This is what Naya Pakistan is. Accept your responsibility and leave. There is not a single example of resignation from PLMN or PPP after repeated failures. Nobody resigns after Model Town tragedy where many innocents were killed, nobody resigns after Fuel crisis that crippled entire country for weeks, nobody resigns after Nandeepur failure where Billions wasted. PTI has proved that politics is not about power of a single family.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:39pm
RIP PTI
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:42pm
Sharif N League and Zardari Ppp should learn lessons.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:42pm
@fida
PTI also need a new slogan other than dhandly.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:44pm
@Waqar khan , No doubt that the elections were fraud, but doesn't mean that PTI or any other party should win, Pakistan has more than 100 parties, votes have been divided but overall votes are high in favor of PTI
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:50pm
Chiudhary Sarwar also needs to resign from the party. He has wasted forty years in England and could not learn how to do politics in Pakistan. I believe that He was a mole planted in PML-N as per London plan. From day one, he was working for anti-PML-N.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 07:59pm
Time for PTI to learn a lesson from their repeated failures at the polls.
Former President Genral Musharraf was absolutely right in saying that a grand alliance is required to get rid of these corruption mafias of the 2 status quo parties PML-N and PPP.
Time to rethink your strategy PTI. Single man politics will not work. Work hard in your strong holds and form alliances to succeed. Think twice before picking up fights for no reason. Lets work together for the betterment of Pakistan. Always remember "Sab Se Pehle Pakistan"
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:00pm
@AQ The same Pildat survey put Nawaz Sharif's approval ratings at 75% and that showed in yesterday's LB polls when PML-N won 75% of the seats. Accept the reality - PTI has no future unless IK kicks out JKT, SMQ, PK and CS from the party.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:02pm
@AQ
Is there ideology at provincial or federal level?
If so, can you please advise.
I am not sure we know what the ideology of any party is in Pakistan - except perhaps the MQM (separate country for Mohajirs), or the JI (Islamicise everything).
All the rest of them are just personal fiefdoms of their leaders; be it PPP, PML-N or PTI.
Putting aside the vote-rigging argument for a second - which may or may not be valid, the real question is how will PTI make lives better for the ordinary citizen.
People keep talking about KPK - that is pretty irrelevant. It is just like saying look at what Nationalists are doing in Scotland, but when you yourself are based in Wales.
A policy that might work in one province like KPK, may not easily lend it itself to a province like Punjab - and the PTI need to adapt accordingly for each area.
The SNP swiped the slate in Scotland in May, but in England they would get destroyed.
Perhaps if PTI got rid of some lotas from Punjab for a start?
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:06pm
Dharna,Foul Play,Internal Part Politics will further destroy PTI....there is more to come
in the future...
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:11pm
Taking responsibility is very nice gesture. This is what PTI suppoters want, if things are not going great under leadership of someone, let someone else give a chance. Very appreciated.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:15pm
Time for PTI to learn a lesson from their repeated failures at the polls.
Former President Genral Musharraf was absolutely right in saying that a grand alliance is required to get rid of these corruption mafias of the 2 status quo parties PML-N and PPP.
Time to rethink your strategy PTI. Single man politics will not work. Work hard in your strong holds and form alliances to succeed. Think twice before picking up fights for no reason. Lets work together for the betterment of Pakistan. Always remember "Sab Se Pehle Pakistan"
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:22pm
Here in model PTI won the chairman seat but polling staff was not giving us the result with signature and after some time they announced PMLN's victory. These complains are coming from many constituencies. These elections were not free and fair. Dear PMLN supporters, don't support your party with blind eyes and when we raise voice against injustice then you guys start abusing us.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:34pm
@Yousuf Didn't u see that every ruling party in each province has won the local government elections in their respective province? PMLN got next to nothing in Sindh.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:34pm
PTI is always poor in rigging...
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:34pm
Beginning of the end of PTI, you will hear more deserting the party. Pakistani politics is personality driven, not by ideology. Seems IK's chrisma in Punjab is fading, he better pay attention to KPK, Punjabis love status quo. Lahori group will not let anyone win in the city of lahore.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:36pm
Normally in true demarcated political party it’s the head of the party who take the blame for failure. It’s about the Imran Khan shrug off his EGO and take the blame then resign as head of the PTI and hand over the leadership to people like Justice (Ret) Wajiuddin. PTI badly fail in Sindh so Dr Arif Alvi should also resign from his seat in parliament.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:39pm
Supporters of PTI think that they are the most wise persons on earth (facebook). I was supporter of PTI but the moment I criticized on party I was bombarded instead of paying attention to what was I saying. No manners and no etiquette. If new Pakistan would be like that then what's wrong with the old one?
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:40pm
Pakistan has become a mafia state run by mafia for mafias.
Realistically, no real hope is left now. PTI raised some hopes and then Raheel Sharif also gave something to people to become optimistic. Now it is all over!
Good dream that we all had of Naya Pakistan but for time being continue with purna Pakistan. Sorry guys!
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:46pm
PTI must now seriously review the findings of Justice Wajihuddin and take action if they want to remain in politics.Corrupts and electables will not serve PTI or the nation as they have their own agenda.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 08:59pm
Am not a sider with any political party pti can pack and leave the politics doesn't have the strategy all those jalsas for rigging and always claiming rigging didn't go well with people lacks the winning strategy
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:00pm
Resignation is appropriate act but this is not enough.Go out for the root cause of bad performances. IK has to revamp his party .
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:07pm
In Pakistan two political parties are most controversial and that are PTI and JI.They always had the support of of usurpers.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:14pm
I fully appreciate Mr. Shafqat for admitting his failure and coming out with his resignation. This should be the way the officials of political parties must behave. I hope that Mr. Shafqat will continue to help his party in its mission.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:17pm
Shafqat Mahmood is a real genuine person from his action.If Imran Khan has slightest of ability in him to judge genuine people, he should not accept his resignation. Nobody can create voters in a real democracy.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:42pm
Well done.....this is the difference between the PTI and the rest of the parties accountability.....Nandi Pur Project destroyed 9 months ago petrol ran out, but no resignations.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:46pm
@yousuf really? what on the earth ppp has done for sindh?
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 09:54pm
Where is my Naya KPK?
*Weeping*
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 10:04pm
It's not his fault; the PTI has been generally discredited because of its leader's irresponsible and crude behavior.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 10:07pm
Why he resigned. He was not at fault at all. The party chairman should resign. If party would have won a marvelous victory than chairman would take credit or not?
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 10:42pm
Great Decision Sir, This is real change
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 10:43pm
Imran Khan is an honest person but lacks political acumen.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 10:48pm
The local bodies elections are held at grass root levels and failure of PTI shows the party is not reached to a common man and only some people have been playing politics for their vested interests. Imran Khan must understand that he cannot bring revolution in Pakistan alone. He must and has to collaborate with other parties who are from masses in order to eliminate hegemony of these traditional mafia in politics.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 10:57pm
Pak is for Nawaz SHarif and PPP , PTI should move to KPK only
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 10:58pm
pti needs policy implementation
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 11:13pm
@Thought agreed - KPK govt. should resign too... performance there is even worst than these local bodies election. Lets learn from bigger blunders first then count for other mistakes. BTW, I'm from KPK... so do not just start shooting in the air.
Recommend
0
Nov 01, 2015 11:42pm
Khan Sahib, you need to understand, people trusted you in KPK, voted you to do something for them which hasn't been done for the last 65 odd years, but you started staging Dharna and got lost somewhere in personal affairs. I am afraid people have lost faith on you as well and the results show that clearly. Still, your party has got 2 and half years, if you can come up something drastic in KPK things might change in the next general election. So do something.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 12:01am
A good gesture of purity. PTI and supporters have to learn from their mistakes. Please please please stop this rigging mantra and do some constructive work in the area of your governance. People rejected PPPP in the last election owing to their overall poor performance and same would have been the case with PMLN if ever they had not wasted time in dharnas. Dharnas only opened eyes of the opponents who worked harder to show progress. RIP PTI and get well soon.
(Once a PTI supporter but no more. Better have allegiance with someone mature and sensible.)
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 12:07am
Although polling in most areas was by and large peaceful, Khairpur saw deadly violence when supporters of PPP and PML-F fought a gunbattle which claimed 11 lives.
Is Operation only for Urdu Speaking of KarachI?
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 12:09am
PTI popularity is OVER
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 12:10am
Serious introspection is need of the time for PTI and also focus their attention on KP govt and should make it ideal province if party has to emerge a winning party in next general election.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 12:13am
Back to drawing board for PTI. But seriously, are we talking about PPP wining in Sindh and PMLN in Punjab because of their 'performance' ? Are we still mature enough to vote for good or bad, leaving behind 'biradri' politcs .. PTI had a long way to go . . For KPK I am satisfied; and those criticizing IK for KPK should visit here
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 12:29am
PTI don't give up, inshallah Khair, you will win next election, inshallah.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 12:31am
Looks like the outcomes would happen according to the paradigm, and there paradigm ain't gonna shift, because corrupt ways are a norm across the board, people don't have a problem with it.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 01:04am
An honorable gesture. PTI must regroup, focus on KPK to make it a model of development and then try and do their best in 2018.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 01:17am
@Dr.Rehman (DOW WALA), The answer is YES!
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 01:22am
Shafqat you took a right step .But keep your energy and moral high PTI still needs you. There are ups & downs in every party,no problem,the future of PTI is shinny. just wait and see.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 01:49am
Could the great Khan come up with worse timing for the elections? Getting divorced right at the eve of elections is the worst political move hurting his own chances and sinking those of the people in his party. The worst thing is that they decided to make this announcement just at the time of elections instead of doing it a day later. A disaster made by Captain himself
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 03:14am
I am not sure iy is his fault if PYI did not do well in in Lahore.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 03:34am
Some thing has gone very wrong in Pti,s narrative.however it is encouraging to note some one taking responsibility. This needs to be appreciated especially in Pakistan. If Pti becomes a constructive opposition party .That will be a good Omen for country and Pti. I hope they are not still looking for " third Umpire".
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 03:48am
Its really good trend, let other person take charge. Good Luck PTI
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 05:27am
Admission of failure is very brave. Do not give up, instead plan and attack with force. Do not forget to groom your leader & teach to be an orator and to talk like wise man. You were almost there. Try again.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 05:31am
@Yousuf, you have no clue of what PTI has done KPK. You are advising without even trying to find out the truth. The corrupt media does not cover the progress of KPK. This is a shame.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 05:41am
@Asif So those whose who won from PTI are also dishonest ?
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 06:08am
@Yousuf I think IK did not follow the spirit of the dharna,he took his case to the people,who responded in unprecedented way but instead of fighting their case he continues to fight his case,which is selfishness and poor strategy.instead of trying to reform this system,he should present plan to replace the system,go for more ruthless reforms in KPK,he will not loose the government as other political parties fear PTI backlash.why dom people still fondly talk about ZAB,did he build any metros or motorways,no he talked of their rights and tried unsuccessfully to change system
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 06:11am
@Junaid a man is known by the company he keeps. if IK has surrounded himself with useless power hungry goons as you say, it is because that is the kind of individual he himself is.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 06:12am
@fida I partly agree with you,IK has signalled his intentions by going back to basics,RK was becoming a symbol of nepotism,her firing by IK shows he still has fire in the belly.he needs to take PTI out of middle class politics and make it a class less party,like ZAB did,then world will be witness to the response
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 06:24am
@Moona Shafquat Mehmood has in fact shown mirror to the party Chairman to show courage and accept the responsibility if something goes wrong if credit is taken on everything which goes right.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 06:47am
I hope PTI leadership will accept the verdict without resorting to barrage of allegations and sit together to brain-storm the reasons behind their defeat in LG election. Frankly speaking the results were as expected since PML(N) has the majority in the parliament and people thought rightly to vote for them in the hope that their MNA/MPA will be able to get development budgets sanctioned with little difficulty.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 08:52am
Youth should be given key posts instead old crooks.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 08:59am
@M.Saeed My question who will let Imran go for his political failures with regard to PTI performance in Pakistan elections?
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 09:02am
In my view instead of Shafqat Mehmood Imran should have stepped down for dismal performance of the PTI.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 09:10am
There shall moral obligation to step dawn if don't show the performance or task truth upon any one to do. I hope this pattern should be done in upcoming events of elections. There shall be responsibility and its consequences.
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 09:54am
@Yousuf i hope you might have gone through the latest pildat survey...which ranks KPK as number 1 among all provinces with regards to governance
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 09:57am
If more PTI leaders step down like this, they can have little trust from people as they take action when necessary and thus PTI can have a moral victory atleast
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 10:10am
sometimes I feel that PTI is like our AAP ...they too are always in hurry and want to do 5 years job in one year.... things take time....PTI should first concentrate on KPK and make it a model state so far as governance is concerned. Their work should speak for them...
Recommend
0
Nov 02, 2015 02:48pm
It confirms that SM could not prove himself best organizer. He did not have contacts with the common man. Actually people like him are big talkers ,theoretical not practical who only want to show their appearances in TV shows.
Recommend
0
Nov 03, 2015 12:39pm
At least someone from PTI show some grace & courage to concede the defeat. #Respect
Recommend
0
Nov 03, 2015 04:14pm
Don't give up, Shaqat.
Recommend
0
