LAHORE: With the emergence of a new political party on the horizon, former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Ismail and Ali Zaidi, among others, seem ready to join hands with Jahangir Khan Tareen. — which is picking up the pieces of a fast-dissolving PTI.
Tareen, who according to sources, will announce the launch of his “Isthakam Pakistan” party later today, after more than 100 leaders from across the country attended his dinner hosted by Aleem Khan and PTI defectors. Much progress was made in appeasing Residence in honor of Tareen and her group.
According to sources, Tareen will announce his new party at a local hotel in Lahore and is all set to become its patron-in-chief.
Apart from Zaidi and Imran, two former PTI leaders from Sindh, Mehmood Baki Maulvi and Jai Prakash were present at the dinner.
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Former PTI leaders present in the meeting, who according to sources will join the new party, include Murad Ras, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Muhammad Zaheeruddin Khan Ali Zai, Fayyazul Hasan Chauhan, Malik Nauman Ahmed Langriyal, Chaudhry Muhammad Noreez Shakur. , Former Secretary General Aamir Kayani, Javed Ansari, Tariq Abdullah, Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal and Ajmal Khan Wazir from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Besides, former MPA from Chishtian, Raffakat Gilani, Mumtaz Mehravi and former MPA from Sahiwal, Maher Irshad Kathia are included. Nankana Sahib’s Mian Usman Ashraf and Major (R) Khurram Rokhri also announced to join Tareen Party.
Interestingly, at the time of their resignations, several defectors announced in press conferences that they were quitting or “taking a break” from politics.
However, during the dinner last night, when Tareen announced the formation of the party, those who defected from PTI expressed full confidence in Tareen.
The sugar mogul, who was disqualified from contesting public office for life by the Supreme Court and was in limbo, became active again after the May 9 disaster and its aftermath.
On May 9, PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court premises.
After Khan’s detention, his supporters took to the streets and attacked key military installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, commonly known as Jinnah House.
A number of PTI leaders were arrested and jailed under the Maintenance of Public Order Act, which led to a mass exodus of PTI leaders.
In an attempt to capitalize on these resignations, it was reported that Tareen is likely to announce a new party, consisting mostly of defectors from the former ruling party.
The development was first reported after a luncheon held in honor of Tareen and his aides at former PTI leader Aleem’s residence.
