PTI sacks 13 G-B leaders for defying party policy in CM election

GILGIT: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has expelled 13 of its leaders from Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), including Chief Minister (CM) Haji Gulbar Khan, for voting against the party’s policy during the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister’s election.

The action stems from a party rebellion in 2023. Following the disqualification of former Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed over a fake degree in July 2023, the PTI central leadership nominated Raja Azam Khan as its official candidate for his successor.

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However, a group of party members defied this directive and instead supported Haji Gulbar Khan, who won the election and became the Chief Minister.

According to notifications issued by PTI’s Central Additional General Secretary, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, the expelled members are accused of “forming a forward bloc and voting against the party decision in clear violation of party’s policy.” The notification said that their actions “caused harm to the party’s interests and reputation.”

The other expelled members include Raja Azam Khan, Raja Nasir Ali Khan, Syed Amjad Zaidi, Dilshad Bano, Suraya Zaman, Haji Shah Baig, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shams Lone, Abdul Hameed, and Maulana Fazlur Rahim.

The notification directed these individuals to refrain from using the party’s name, designation, or membership in any manner. It further warns that any violation will result in further disciplinary action, potentially including legal measures.

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PTI has also issued a show-cause notice to former G-B governor Raja Jalal Maqpoon for conspiring to weaken the party during a critical period by encouraging members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly to defect and join the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government. Raja Jalal has been given two days to provide an explanation. Failure to respond may result in further disciplinary action.

PTI has already terminated the basic membership of its G-B chapter general secretary, Fataullah Khan, and G-B Assembly member Javed Ali Manwa.