Pervez Khattak served show cause notice over anti-PTI move

• Notice seeks explanation from Khattak for anti-party move.
• Khattak required to explain his position within seven days. 
• Further action to be taken if Khattak fails to respond.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Pervez Khattak seeking an explanation for allegedly inciting the members to leave the party, The News reported.

The notice issued by PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan requires Khattak, a senior politician from the Nowshera district, to explain his position on the anti-party move within seven days of the notice.

“It has come to the notice of the party leadership that you are contacting party members and inciting them to leave the party. In view of these reported activities, you are hereby called to explain yourself in writing within seven days of this notice," the show-cause notice states.

It was also made clear in the notice that if his reply was found unsatisfactory or he did not respond, further action would be taken as per the party policy and rules.

Khattak, who served as the party’s secretary general and chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the PTI’s government, has already announced quitting the party’s provincial slot as its president.

Several politicians jumped PTI's ship during the ongoing mass exodus, with many claiming to leave the party and bidding adieu to politics.

Most politicians in the exodus, which began after bigwigs of the Imran Khan-led political entity left the party one after another, include Fawad Chaudhry, Ali Zaidi, Mahmood Baqi Maulvi, Imran Ismail, Firdous Ashiq Awa, Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan and Murad Raas.

Many of the former PTI members have joined the newly-formed Istihkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), led by the senior politician Jahangir Tareen, while some are exploring alternative options or distancing themselves from the party following the disruptive events of May 9.