The newly launched 'Istehqam-e-Pakistan Party', which has been dubbed by many as 'the King's party' believes it has the best chance to succeed where the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) failed.
It is natural that its leaders ⸺ which at one point they occupied irreplaceable slots in the PTI before they found themselves out of the party ⸺ that they have the best chance to succeed as a new face of PTI. The biggest reason for this confidence is that that they have secured the support of 'electables', many of whom were recently in the PTI.
They include some of the most popular or otherwise known faces of the PTI. Moreover, many of these electables hail from the heartland of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
It is believed that with these electables, the IPP could have quite an impact over the upcoming general elections and the formation of the next government.
READ MORE: The Future Of Pakistan’s Electables
Led by Jahangir Khan Tareen, the IPP has not only caused a political dent to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf's [PTI] position as a political entity but is also set to give a tough time to other main political rivals such as the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) in the upcoming elections.
As the elections draw near, Tareen and the IPP hope to secure the support of further PTI dissidents from KP and Punjab, reveal senior members of IPP as they discussed future plans of the party. It would not be an otherworldly occurrence if the IPP also manages to attract some politicians from rivals PPP, PML-N or even the JUI-F.
As per sources, the newly formed party has remained careful about its influence. Whether or not it has grossly miscalculated its relevance will become apparent in due time. But for now, it sees benefit in keeping its enemies close and its friends closer still.
Party sources have confirmed that IPP sent a high-powered delegation to the grand political confab in Dubai. A senior, central leader of the party is also playing the role of emissary, carrying messages for the leaders of the PML-N and the PPP. One of the topics that the emissary has been charged with communicating to Nawaz and Zardari a key message from IPP chief Tareen. Sources say, is the possibility of seat adjustment in the upcoming general elections. .And who knows, maybe there are even offers to back completely potential victors in the upcoming elections.
Political observers say that compared to rivals, the IPP has benefited the most from the mass exodus from the PTI. Which means that a lot of politicians who could have potentially strengthened any of the other parties which existed on the map, are now the poorer for it because of IPP.
READ MORE: Life-Cycle Of Political Parties In Pakistan
Pakistan Peoples Party [PPP], though is the other party which has benefited the most from the defections, scooping up a handful of PTI defectors.
But the IPP and the PPP are salivating over the future of some 33 former MNA's from the PTI who are rumored to be seeking a quick exit from the PTI but have yet to decide on a party to land in.
It is expected as with those before them, that these former lawmakers are likely to defect to either the IPP, the PPP or the PML-N.
But IPP President Aleem Khan's confidence that Jehangir Tareen is the next prime minister of Pakistan betrays that these remaining PTI members are likely to side with IPP rather than opt for the status quo parties.
"If IPP achieves a victory in the general elections, the former PTI secretary general Jahangir Tareen, who was disqualified in 2017 by the Supreme Court under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution, will be their prime ministerial candidate," Abdul Aleem Khan stated in a recent interview.
The only potential spanner in the works would be the decision of former PTI leader and federal defence minister Pervaiz Khattak.
READ MORE: Pervez Khattak Will Launch His Own Party Within Days: Lawyer Claims
Khattak has been making contacts with PTI members in KP. The PTI has already accused him of fomenting discord in the party and of enticing them to jump ship.
Whether Khattak will convince these people to jump ship to the IPP or to a new party where he is the pied piper remains to be seen.
Between now and the elections, there will be many defections, turncoats, opportunities, deals of convenience and political expediency. What none of them offer clarity on thus far is who will be left standing on the treasury benches and who will be sulking on the opposition benches.
It is natural that its leaders ⸺ which at one point they occupied irreplaceable slots in the PTI before they found themselves out of the party ⸺ that they have the best chance to succeed as a new face of PTI. The biggest reason for this confidence is that that they have secured the support of 'electables', many of whom were recently in the PTI.
They include some of the most popular or otherwise known faces of the PTI. Moreover, many of these electables hail from the heartland of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
It is believed that with these electables, the IPP could have quite an impact over the upcoming general elections and the formation of the next government.
READ MORE: The Future Of Pakistan’s Electables
Led by Jahangir Khan Tareen, the IPP has not only caused a political dent to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf's [PTI] position as a political entity but is also set to give a tough time to other main political rivals such as the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) in the upcoming elections.
As the elections draw near, Tareen and the IPP hope to secure the support of further PTI dissidents from KP and Punjab, reveal senior members of IPP as they discussed future plans of the party. It would not be an otherworldly occurrence if the IPP also manages to attract some politicians from rivals PPP, PML-N or even the JUI-F.
As per sources, the newly formed party has remained careful about its influence. Whether or not it has grossly miscalculated its relevance will become apparent in due time. But for now, it sees benefit in keeping its enemies close and its friends closer still.
Party sources have confirmed that IPP sent a high-powered delegation to the grand political confab in Dubai. A senior, central leader of the party is also playing the role of emissary, carrying messages for the leaders of the PML-N and the PPP. One of the topics that the emissary has been charged with communicating to Nawaz and Zardari a key message from IPP chief Tareen. Sources say, is the possibility of seat adjustment in the upcoming general elections. .And who knows, maybe there are even offers to back completely potential victors in the upcoming elections.
Political observers say that compared to rivals, the IPP has benefited the most from the mass exodus from the PTI. Which means that a lot of politicians who could have potentially strengthened any of the other parties which existed on the map, are now the poorer for it because of IPP.
READ MORE: Life-Cycle Of Political Parties In Pakistan
Pakistan Peoples Party [PPP], though is the other party which has benefited the most from the defections, scooping up a handful of PTI defectors.
But the IPP and the PPP are salivating over the future of some 33 former MNA's from the PTI who are rumored to be seeking a quick exit from the PTI but have yet to decide on a party to land in.
It is expected as with those before them, that these former lawmakers are likely to defect to either the IPP, the PPP or the PML-N.
But IPP President Aleem Khan's confidence that Jehangir Tareen is the next prime minister of Pakistan betrays that these remaining PTI members are likely to side with IPP rather than opt for the status quo parties.
"If IPP achieves a victory in the general elections, the former PTI secretary general Jahangir Tareen, who was disqualified in 2017 by the Supreme Court under Article 62 (1)(f) of the Constitution, will be their prime ministerial candidate," Abdul Aleem Khan stated in a recent interview.
The only potential spanner in the works would be the decision of former PTI leader and federal defence minister Pervaiz Khattak.
READ MORE: Pervez Khattak Will Launch His Own Party Within Days: Lawyer Claims
Khattak has been making contacts with PTI members in KP. The PTI has already accused him of fomenting discord in the party and of enticing them to jump ship.
Whether Khattak will convince these people to jump ship to the IPP or to a new party where he is the pied piper remains to be seen.
Between now and the elections, there will be many defections, turncoats, opportunities, deals of convenience and political expediency. What none of them offer clarity on thus far is who will be left standing on the treasury benches and who will be sulking on the opposition benches.