DERA GHAZI KHAN: The PTI has been divided into at least two major groups in Dera Ghazi Khan, one led newcomer tribal chief of Khosa tribe and former Punjab governor Zulfiqar Ali Khosa and second by the PTI older workers.

It is very interesting to note that Zulfiqar Khosa is contesting on the ticket of PTI on the symbol of bat in run of NA-190 against his cousin Amjad Farooq Khosa, an independent candidate, while his son, Dost Muhammed Khan Khosa, is contesting as an independent candidate on the symbol of Jeep against PTI candidates Mrs Zartaj Gul and Dr Shaheena Najeeb in NA-191 and PP-289, respectively.

The Khosas are not helping their party candidates, Zartaj Gul in NA-191, Dr Shaheena Najeeb in PP-289 and Ahmed Ali Dreshak in PP-290.

Zulfiqar Khosa held a press conference here on Thursday in presence of Javed Lound, Muhammad Khan Leghari and Mohiuddin Khosa. Responding to a query about his younger son fighting the PTI’s candidates in NA-191 and PP-289, Zulfiqar Khosa said the party first awarded to a woman for NA-191 instead of Khosa junior. The party move was tolerated but it again gave ticket to another woman for PP-289 (Shaheena Najeeb) instead of Dost Khosa, he said and added that his son had confidence in his own politics and he had no right to prohibit his son from doing his own politics.

It is worth mentioning that on NA-191 and PP-289, the PTI is facing opposition of its own men. Businessman, Hanif Pitafi, of the PTI is contesting on symbol of bucket after failing to get the party ticket and symbol. He is strongly opposing the PTI candidate on PP-289 while Khosa group is also opposing party candidate on NA-191, PP-289 and PP-290.

Muhammad Khan Leghari is in the election race for NA-192 on a PTI ticket against Mian Shahbaz Sharif. He said Jafar Khan Leghari of the PTI was not extending his support in the run of NA-192 against Shahbaz Sharif while the people were supporting the PTI against the PML-N president.

It is pertinent to mention that Legharis’ elder, Jafar Khan Leghari, who is contesting for NA-193 on a PTI ticket, has great influence in NA-192.

Muhammad Khan Leghari alleged that the government machinery was supporting the Sharifs in the election while some government employees were taking part in the electioneering of Shahbaz Sharif in NA-192.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2018