ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Differences between former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan and the top leadership of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party remain unresolved, as the former stands firm on the party ticket for the Bagh Central constituency.
According to sources, reconciliation efforts initiated by Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider, PPP leader Chaudhry Riaz, and former President and Prime Minister Sardar Yaqoob Khan failed to persuade Tanveer Ilyas to change his decision.
According to sources, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was interested in contesting elections from Bagh Central and Pachiyot, but the party leadership, especially Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, refused to grant the ticket for Bagh Central, stating that Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar cannot be ignored.
Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was offered Upper Neelum constituency
According to sources, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was suggested to contest from Upper Neelum, which left him aggrieved.
Despite multiple meetings over a week between Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, PPP leader Chaudhry Riaz, Sardar Yaqoob Khan, and other leaders, no progress could be made.
According to sources, Chaudhry Riaz offered Sardar Tanveer Ilyas a meeting with Faryal Talpur and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, however, he declined both meetings and remained adamant on the tickets.
Ilyas made it clear to Chaudhry Riaz that it was Sardar Tanveer Ilyas who helped end Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq’s government and enabled the formation of the PPP government and Faisal Rathore’s appointment as Prime Minister.
“Now Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Sardar Qamar-uz-Zaman, and Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar will have to face the political consequences,” sources quoted Ilyas as having told to the party leadership.
“Defeat of PPP candidates in Haveli Kahuta, Bagh Central, and Bagh East will now be my first priority.”
According to sources, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas has also intensified contacts with the central leadership of his former party, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, where he has received positive assurances regarding reclaiming the party leadership and bringing together disgruntled political leaders from various parties.
Tanveer Ilyas took a photo with the PPP leadership along with his staff and political associates, which is being termed as a farewell photograph.
Sources claim that Sardar Tanveer Ilyas will hold a press conference along with the leadership of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party to formally announce his new political strategy and decisions regarding the upcoming elections.
