TAXILA: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader and former special assistant to the prime minister on climate change, Malik Amin Aslam on Wednesday said there was a clear split in the PTI over the issue of distribution of party tickets for Punjab elections in Attock.

Talking to newsmen in HazroMalik Amin Aslam termed the distribution of PTI tickets for the Punjab Assembly election as unfair. He was of the view that the party leadership did not give tickets on merit and voices of corruption have also been echoed.

“Imran Khan himself has heard the voices raised from the districts against wrong distribution of tickets,” he added. He said the party will suffer if the right decision is not taken regarding the tickets.

On the protest of aspirant candidates and workers, the party has started a series of reviews and he pinned hope that the tickets would be awarded on merit to genuine candidates after the review.

The PTI has finalised a list of 297 candidates earlier this week for the elections.

He said that the top court has provided an opportunity to all the political parties to move towards a solution to the current crisis but the PDM government is using delaying tactics.

Mr Aslam lambasted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying that they wanted a verdict from the Supreme Court on gunpoint but PTI was serious in their approach to talks within the jurisdiction of the constitution.

“If the government refuses to accept the decision of the Supreme Court, then why will the common people accept it,” he questioned. He further said the PML-N had not given a ticket to their candidates yet.

Responding to a question, the former PM’s aide said PTI wanted immediate elections in the country as elections are the only way forward and the solution to political and economic problems being faced by the country.

He said PTI would move court against the caretaker government after the completion of their tenure.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2023