Pervez Khattak’s party faces challenges amid intra-family rifts

PESHAWAR: After parting ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pervez Khattak has formed his own separate political party, but he is now confronted with serious challenges in garnering the support of leaders from other political factions.

On the contrary, due to ongoing intra-family disputes, Pervez Khattak’s immediate family members have declined to join his new party, including his younger brother and former provincial minister, Liaquat Khattak.

The disagreements between Pervez and Liaquat Khattak have persisted for the past three years. Although it was expected that the two brothers would unite after Pervez Khattak’s exit from the PTI, they failed to reconcile their differences.

Upon becoming a federal minister, Pervez Khattak appointed his younger brother Liaquat Khattak as the provincial minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Initially, there were no conflicts between the two siblings.

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However, tensions arose when the provincial seat became vacant following the demise of former provincial minister Mian Jamshed, and Liaquat Khattak expressed his desire to have his son succeed him.

Pervez Khattak opposed this move, leading to open differences between the brothers. As a result of the family disputes, Liaquat Khattak first joined the Pakistan People’s Party and later, along with his son, joined the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.

Regarding Liaquat Khattak’s potential joining of PTI (Parliamentarians), his son, Ahad Khattak, disclosed to Urdu News that he was offered to join PTI (Parliamentarians) but declined the offer. Ahad Khattak stated that they remain aligned with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and will contest the upcoming elections from within the same party.

He further added, “Pervez Khattak’s departure from PTI during difficult times will prove to be a political suicide for him, as people have rejected him.”

Ahad Khattak expressed confidence in defeating Pervez Khattak in the upcoming elections, citing substantial support from local representatives, including former MPA Khaliq-ul-Zaman.

According to local journalist Fazl Nabi, “political differences between the two brothers are at their peak, and the major reason for this is their sons, Ahad Khattak and Ishtiaq Khattak. Pervez Khattak’s development works in his constituency may earn him votes, but leaving PTI has angered voters, and this could benefit his brother Liaquat Khattak.”

Notably, on July 17, Pervez Khattak laid the foundation of the new party PTI (Parliamentarians) at a wedding hall in Peshawar, and several leaders of PTI, including former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan, joined him in this endeavor.