'Rift among PTI KP members comes to fore'

Rift among the members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter have come to the fore, as sources said that former and current members of the national and provincial assemblies have formed a group against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

The disgruntled faction of the PTI was reportedly unhappy over governance-related matters, alleged corruption and CM Gandapur's interference in provincial departmental matters, sources said. 

They added that the disgruntled ministers also criticise Gandapur's unusual interference in different government departments.

The insiders revealed to Geo News that Gandapur was in hiding at the time of the distribution of tickets for the February 8 general elections due to which PTI leader Atif Khan could not get a provincial assembly ticket. 

They said that the Atif Khan got upset over the non-allocation of the party ticket and gave a statement against the central leadership of PTI for being left out during the tickets distribution.

The sources further stated that Gandapur had issued tickets to the candidates nominated by PTI founder Imran Khan and Atif was left out in line with the former premier's orders. 

They said that KP provincial minister Shakeel Khan had complained to the PTI founder over governance-related matters and also held a press conference, wherein he alleged that a "parallel government" was working in the province.

Speaking to Geo News, Atif said that he didn't have any affiliation with the KP government. The PTI founder formed a committee after receiving a complaint against governance in KP after meeting provincial minister Shakeel Khan. 

Meanwhile, KP Information Adviser Barrister Saif denied the rumors circulating about grouping in the party and said that CM Gandapur enjoyed the confidence of all the assembly members.