Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser clarified on Monday that he continues to stand with the party and is currently in contact with Chairman Imran Khan. Qaiser made these remarks upon his arrival at an Islamabad court to attend a hearing of a case related to vandalism outside the judicial complex in the federal capital.
There had been confusion surrounding Qaiser’s status after former PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Pervez Khattak announced his resignation from party positions during a joint press conference. Qaiser was present at the conference but remained silent, leading to speculation about his party affiliation. Khattak cited the May 9 violence as the reason behind his decision.
Several PTI leaders have left the party in protest against the violence that occurred on that day, which saw attacks on government and military installations by enraged supporters. Addressing the press conference in Islamabad, Khattak expressed difficulty in continuing to serve as the party’s KP chapter president amidst the ongoing political crisis. He stated that he would consult with his friends and party colleagues before announcing his future course of action.
When asked about his current status, Asad Qaiser affirmed his allegiance to the Tehreek-e-Insaf and confirmed his contact with Chairman Imran Khan. Responding to a question about whether Jahangir Tareen, who is in the process of forming a new political party mostly comprising PTI defectors, had contacted him, Qaiser stated that there had been no contact with Tareen.
Qaiser firmly reiterated that he remains with PTI, dismissing claims made by Fawad Chaudhry, the former information minister and party spokesperson, who stated that he had been in contact with Qaiser and other party leaders.
In a separate development, Asad Umar, the former secretary general of PTI, revealed to the media that Jahangir Tareen had not reached out to him. However, Umar mentioned that he maintains regular contact with Fawad Chaudhry.
Read more: Asad Umar stays connected with Fawad Chaudhry, Not Jahangir Tareen
As the political landscape in Pakistan continues to evolve, the statements from Asad Qaiser and Asad Umar shed some light on their current affiliations and contacts within the PTI. The party has been facing challenges with the departure of some key leaders, and it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of PTI and its political trajectory.
