GILGIT: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has expelled 13 of its leaders in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), including incumbent Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, for voting against the party’s decision during the G-B chief minister’s election last year.
The move, announced through notifications issued by PTI’s Central Additional General Secretary Firdous Shamim Naqvi, accused the leaders of “forming a forward bloc and voting against the party decision in clear violation of party’s policy,” which, it said, had “caused harm to the party’s interests and reputation.”
Rebellion during CM election
The disciplinary action stems from events in July 2023, when former chief minister Khalid Khursheed was disqualified over a fake degree. The PTI central leadership nominated Raja Azam Khan as its candidate for the slot.
However, a group of PTI members broke ranks and supported Haji Gulbar Khan, who went on to win the election and assume the chief minister’s office.
Names of expelled members
Apart from Gulbar Khan, the expelled leaders 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 barred them from using the party’s name, designation or membership in any manner, warning of further disciplinary or even legal action in case of violation.
Read More: 25 PTI, SIC MNAs yet to quit NA committees despite party orders
Show-cause notice to ex-governor
Separately, PTI issued a show-cause notice to former G-B governor Raja Jalal Maqpoon, accusing him of conspiring to weaken the party by persuading members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly to defect and align with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.
He has been given two days to submit an explanation, with the party warning that failure to respond may lead to further action.
PTI has already terminated the basic membership of its G-B chapter general secretary Fataullah Khan and assembly member Javed Ali Manwa.
