ISLAMABAD: In a
strategic move
aimed at securing government formations in various regions, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (
PTI
) has declared an
alliance
with the
Sunni Ittehad Council
(SIC), marking a significant shift in its political strategy following the February 8 elections, according to Dawn.
Despite facing obstacles in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where negotiations with PTI Parliamentarians have been delayed due to leadership disputes, PTI leaders remain unwavering in their commitment to forming governments across the country.
During a press conference, PTI leaders expressed confidence in their electoral support, citing approximately 30 million votes gathered by PTI-backed candidates, even without the party's electoral symbol, the 'bat,' reported by Dawn.
Barrister Gohar Khan claimed that PTI had secured "180 seats in the National Assembly, 115 seats in Punjab, 16 in Sindh, 42 in KP, and four in Balochistan." "In Balochistan, we have one seat; three are due. In Sindh, we did not get even a single seat. In Punjab, we are due about 50 seats," he added.
To bolster its parliamentary numbers, PTI has formed alliances with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), having previously collaborated with the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) in Punjab and at the federal level.
On February 18, the deal with the MWM seemingly fell through due to apparent criticism from the KP-based leaders of the PTI, who opposed the idea on "sectarian grounds," according to a PTI insider.
However, this was not confirmed by the PTI on record. PTI spokesperson Raoof Hassan stated, "The MWM and the PTI were old allies and partners in Gilgit-Baltistan, and this partnership would continue."
As SIC leader Hafiz Hamid Raza arrived in Islamabad at the MWM secretariat to hold talks with the PTI on the power-sharing formula, the meeting was also attended by the MWM leaders. There was no official statement after the meeting.
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