RAWALPINDI: Imran Khan’s rally in Islamabad on Sunday exposed the division in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Rawalpindi district as rival groups brought separate rallies to the Parade Avenue.

PTI’s suspended leaders’ group led by MPAs Arif Abbasi and Rashid Hafeez brought a rally from Faizabad to Parade Avenue, while the other rally was led by Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan and PTI’s acting president Ijaz Khan Jazi.

PTI’s Rawal Town President Chaudhry Asghar and some local office-bearers also accompanied the rally.

Both rallies met at Faizabad but the groups opted to move separately.

After the rally, the local leaders of both groups claimed that their rally was bigger than their rival’s.

The PTI had suspended membership of 10 office-bearers from Rawalpindi, including PTI Punjab North President Sadaqat Abbasi, District President Arif Abbasi and MPA Rashid Hafeez for thrashing Imran Khan’s cousin Ahmed Niazi.

Imran Khan appointed Ijaz Khan Jazi as acting president of the district but the local leaders and office bearers refused to accept him.

A senior party leader told Dawn that the local party leaders wanted to score points with the party leadership by leading rallies to the pubic meeting venue.

Rival groups lead separate rallies to the Parade Avenue

He said sensing the division at the local level, Imran Khan sent his sister Aleema Khan to lead the rally from the party office to Parade Avenue.

He said the PTI had banned the entry of suspended local leaders to the venue after they opposed the appointment of the acting president.

When contacted, PTI’s suspended district president, Arif Abbasi, admitted that they had brought a separate rally as most office-bearers did not want to go to the meeting in a rally led by Ijaz Khan Jazi.

He said for the sake of the party, the office-bearers decided to bring a separate rally which was bigger than his rival’s. He said they were working for the party and committed to the cause.

Arif Abbasi admitted that he and Rashid Hafeez did not attend the rally as they were stopped at Kalsoom Plaza, Blue Area, and instead let the workers go ahead and attend the gathering.

Ijaz Khan Jazi told Dawn that the PTI’s official rally was brought from Ashiana Plaza, Rehmanabad, to Parade Avenue under the leadership of Imran Khan’s sister.

He said Aleema Khan led the rally, which was joined by the office-bearers, workers and supporters.

“The party chairman gave me the task to mobilise people in the district for the public meeting and I am working as per his directives. If anyone has objections he or she should contact the party chairman,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 1st , 2014