PESHAWAR: All attempts to placate the disgruntled members of the ruling coalition in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly have failed, as the rebel lawmakers have firmly decided to hold negotiations exclusively with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. The disgruntled members have convened an important meeting in Peshawar on Monday, just before the provincial assembly session, to finalise their future course of action.
Failed Reconciliation Efforts
According to sources, senior central and provincial figures made repeated efforts to engage and appease the aggrieved lawmakers. However, the dissidents remained steadfast in their position, refusing to meet any committee or individual other than the party chairman. The refusal to engage with intermediaries underscores the depth of the rift within the ruling coalition.
Demand for Imran Khan's Release
Talking to The Express Tribune, one of the disgruntled members said: "Our one-point agenda is that a date for protests should be announced for the release of founder chairman Imran Khan. The chairman's sisters visit Adiala Jail alone every Tuesday, yet workers are repeatedly asking when the party will launch the movement." The rebel lawmaker further revealed that before Eid, during a parliamentary party meeting in the provincial assembly, the Speaker had given assurances that their concerns would be addressed after consultations. "But even the Speaker has not contacted us since then," he said.
Upcoming Meeting
The meeting scheduled for Monday is expected to decide the next steps for the dissident group, which could include further demonstrations or a formal break from the party line. The situation remains fluid, with the party leadership under pressure to address the grievances of its members while maintaining unity in the province.
