'Rifts within PTI over Qureshi's nomination as NA opposition leader'

ISLAMABAD: The nomination for opposition leader in the National Assembly has led to rifts within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as a number of its members have objected to Shah Mehmood Qureshi's name for the key post, sources confided to Geo News Wednesday.

Sources said a number of PTI members of the National Assembly have rejected Shah Mehmood Qureshi as the new opposition leader. They are of the view that only Imran Khan could be the candidate for the key post.

It has been learnt that a meeting of the PTI parliamentary committee had on September 20 decided that Khan would be the new opposition leader, after which the PTI began contacting other political parties.

However, things changed after Khan's name was nowhere at Tuesday meeting between the PTI and Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmakers. Reports suggested that efforts were underway to bring Qureshi as the leader of the opposition.

The members of the PTI, opposed to Qureshi being the opposition leader, have demanded that a meeting of PTI parliamentary committee be called and those, who met the MQM, should be asked to explain as to why did they give the perception of nominating Qureshi, sources informed further.

They added that a large number of PTI members, including Jahangir Tareen, are opposed to Qureshi's nomination.