LAHORE: On Monday, a group of south Punjab politicians led by Jahangir Khan Tareen gathered in Lahore. They considered a proposal by the powers that be to create a “parallel” Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. It is to contain ousted prime minister Imran Khan’s party before the next elections.
The Tareen group held a huddle in which disgruntled MNAs and former Punjab MPAs. Who were disqualified after voting for the PML-N candidate in the chief minister’s election last year, participated.
In light of Imran Khan’s likely disqualification in any of his cases. The Tareen faction given permission to break the PTI. A source told that this meeting was mostly about this.
He suggested the Tareen group would use ECP registered “Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Nazriati,” a dissident component of the PTI.
The ECP website lists PTI Nazriati chairman Akhtar Iqbal Dar from Sheikhupura.
“A recent meeting between Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Jahangir Tareen should also be seen in this context,” he added, adding that they discussed the “future of the PTI after its chairman’s disqualification,” which they believed was “imminent”.
The source said a parallel platform would have the support of the powers that be to dent the PTI.
Aun Chaudhry, Raja Riaz, Nauman Langrial, Ajmal Cheema, and Ishaq Khaqwani attended the conference. Dawn’s inquiries were ignored by Aun Chaudhry and Ajmal Cheema.
Participants agreed to hold such meetings to adapt their strategy to the changing political situation. The source added they also decided to call PTI leaders who are critical of Imran Khan but have not spoken out.
‘PML-N fully onboard’
The source added the PML-N will help the Tareen group in its “new assignment” even if the Sharifs had denied tickets to these “electables” for the next general election.
The PPP, which has been courting south Punjab voters for years, still considers them a “valuable asset” in light of the elections.
On Monday, a top PPP leader from south Punjab informed Dawn that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is betting big on the upcoming elections. The military has reportedly helped former president Asif Ali Zardari court the Tareen organization.
