MURREE: PTI is in straits in Murree as it is losing support of those who either joined or backed the party before 2018 elections.

Moreover, local leaders of the party are publicly voicing their concern over different issues including tickets for local bodies elections and development programmes.

Sardar Saleem Khan, who joined PTI before 2018 elections, has taken a stand over ticket for local bodies elections.

He returned to Murree Town Nazim on PML-Q ticket and was a joint PPP-PML-Q candidate for Punjab assembly in 2013 elections.

Talking to mediapersons, he took credit for PTI winning both provincial and national assembles seats from Murree in 2018 elections.

“Though I was refused PTI ticket for Punjab Assembly in 2018 elections, I stood by the party,” he said, adding now I desrve to be considered for the local bodies elections.

A couple of days ago another PTI leader Javed Iqbal Satti also came up with an allegation at a press conference against MPA retired Major Latasab Satti.

He said that he had got a grant of Rs100 million released by the Punjab chief minister for Ghehl to Chajana road, but the department concerned was not starting work on the road at the, what he said, behest of the elected MPA.

Another group “Ittefaq Ittehad Group” which supported PTI candidates in 2018 elections and played an important role in its victory also withdrew its support to the party.

While talking to Dawn Junaid Aziz Abbasi, founding leader of Itttefaq Group said PTI members of national and provincial assemblies had not fulfilled even a single promise which they made to the group.

He said the PTI government had failed to fulfill its promises made during election campaigns.

The group leader maintained that the PTI government was no different from the previous governments, so it was not possible for his group to continue their support to the party.

When contacted, Murree PTI President Khursheed Abbasi played down the differences.

“It is a normal thing in a democratic party,” he said.

“When a party is in power such kinds of complaints surface, but when party needs support on any issue, we get united,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2019