CHAKWAL/GUJAR KHAN: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday changed its candidates vying for seats from Gujar Khan and Talagang, much to the annoyance of party workers.

The party had second thoughts about its candidates contesting elections from Gujar Khan’s NA-52 and PP-9 constituencies as well as PP-23 in Talagang.

In Gujar Khan, the PTI once again changed its candidate in NA-52 and brought back Raja Tariq Aziz Bhatti while Muneer Bhatti would now be contesting from PP-9.

Earlier Raja Tariq Aziz Bhatti had been given the ticket but in a surprise move last week, the party awarded it to Farrukh Sial. Meanwhile, Raja Tariq Bhatti was granted a PP-9 ticket, replacing Raja Waheed Qasim. However, Mr Bhatti pointed out that he had already withdrawn his provincial assembly nomination papers from the ARO Office after being awarded ticket for NA-52 constituency.

On Tuesday evening, the PTI confirmed that it had revised its decision and had again awarded ticket to Raja Tariq Aziz Bhatti, while Muneer Bhatti, a new face, was granted a ticket for PP-9.

On the other hand, the PTI changed its loyal and time-tested candidate with a new entrant in PP-23.

Sultan Surkhru was elected MPA as an independent candidate in 2002 and also remained a member of the district council. The 82-year-old Mr Surkhru, who has been in PTI for the last 15 years, was nominated as the party’s candidate for PP-23. He had been vigorously campaigning for the last one-and-a-half months and held a number of corner meetings in different villages of his constituency.

Mr Surkhru was also the party’s candidate from PP-23 in the by-elections of 2017, and was arrested in May 2022 for heading a procession which was to join Imran Khan’s march towards Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Surkhru who enjoys the support of party workers and also has his own vote bank was changed as party’s candidate with Saad Hayat Tamman, a new entrant belonging to the Sardars of Tamman. Interestingly his uncle, Sardar Mansoor Hayat Tamman, is a PML-N leader in the area and had announced that he would support PML-N candidates even after he was denied a ticket.

The sudden change of candidate in PP-23 drew the ire of PTI workers and local leaders. Many workers took to social media to condemn the party’s move.

Mr Surkhru called a meeting at his residence where party workers urged him to contest the election.

“The party workers and leaders in Talagang are standing with Mr Surkhru. We do not know how this bizarre decision was taken,” said Hakeem Nisar, the district president of PTI in Talagang who is also the party’s candidate in PP-22.

“This is utter injustice as Mr Surkhru is the best candidate for PP-23. This move has not only damaged the party but also boosted the rival’s candidate chances of victory,” a party leader said.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2024