Mazari owns up to rift in PTI's top leadership

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Dr Shireen Mazari on Monday admitted that differences were emerging between party’s top leadership and said that while there was “debate and dissension” within the party,  it would lead to a consensus being evolved.  

“Given the highly democratic nature of the PTI, there was a “debate and dissension” within the party meetings through which a consensus would be evolved. All the new people who have joined the PTI have accepted the party’s ideology. PTI respects all its members equally and no one is vilified or insulted,” said Mazari while addressing a press conference here at the PTI central secretariat, flanked by Azhar Tariq, Secretary Finance of the PTI.

Responding to a question about former PML-Q leaders Marvi Memonand Amir Muqam refusing to join PTI, Mazari made it clear that both politicians had been rejected by her party, instead.

She also admitted to PTI chairman Imran Khan signing Memon’s appointment letter as secretary information, adding that it was however not ratified by the party.

“We have a strong democratic tradition in the party and the Chairman respected the party’s decision – this is how democracy works,” she asserted.

Mazari also contradicted the notion of PTI’s dwindling popularity amongst the masses, claiming that the PTI tsunami was deliberately being controlled so as to allow the party to absorb the large influx of people who wanted to join the party.

She claimed that PTI’s tsunami was heading towards southern Punjab and many heavyweights were expected to join the party over the next few days.

“The first wave of the tsunami in southern Punjab would be commencing from Tuesday, beginning with a public meeting in Bahawalnagar and then Imran Khan would address public meetings in Hasilpur, Ahmadpur East, Muzaffargarh and Khanewal,” said Mazari.

Providing further details of PTI’s campaign in southern Punjab, Mazari said that Imran Khan wanted to reach out to the people of southern Punjab with his message of change and justice – especially for the youth of the area. And that public meetings would also be held in Sialkot, Mianwali and Abbotabad.

Khan would make another tour of South Punjab later and public meetings would be held in DG Khan and Rajanpur.

Talking about the postponed public gathering in Quetta, Mazari said, “On April 20, a huge public meeting would be held in Quetta and the media would also be informed of the party’s scheduled pogram.”