PTI leader Aleem Khan, a close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan and a former Punjab minister, announced on Monday that he would be joining the group of lawmakers led by Jahangir Khan Tareen.
It is pertinent to note that his announcement came after members of the group converged at Tareen’s Lahore residence as the opposition charged ahead with its plans to table a no-confidence motion against the government.
Provincial ministers Nauman Langrial, Ajmal Cheema as well as MPAs Khurram Leghari, Abdul Hai Dasti, Lala Tahir Randhawa, Salman Naeem, Aslam Bharwana, Saeed Nawani, Zawar Hussain, Bilal Warraich, Amin Chaudry, Qasim Langah were also among the participants.
Khan during his media talk, stated that Tareen — who is currently in London seeking medical treatment — had played a massive part in the PTI’s rise to power.
He reiterated that Tareen had played a crucial role in the history of the party, and lamented the fact that he was later sidelined.
He further stated that Tareen was currently not in the best of health, adding that the group had held a meeting at his residence to send the message that he was not “forgotten”.
“Many people [within the party] do not understand why this happened. All those people who worked for Naya Pakistan alongside the prime minister, why were they ignored? There is no answer for this,” he said.
“Other people surround the leader when governments are formed,” he said, adding that “committed and loyal” workers were pushed to the side.
He went on to add that he would not have been disheartened if the party’s popularity had been growing, but said that there were growing concerns among party workers and loyalists about the government’s performance in Punjab.
He also stated that he had met more than 40 MPAs during the last four days, all of whom had expressed concerns over Punjab’s governance.
“All of us who were part of the tehreek and were sincere. Let us all come together on one platform,” he said.
It is pertinent to note that the government was not perturbed by the sudden political activity in Lahore. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry asserted that Tareen and Khan were still an integral part of the ruling PTI.
“They are a part of our party,” he said, adding that internal politics within a party was a common occurrence.
“They are doing their politics and have relations with several of our MPAs […] Aleem Khan and Tareen have close relations with PM Imran,” he said, reiterating that internal party politics was common.
Earlier, Punjab chief minister’s former adviser, Awn Chaudry, who was also among the attendees, was hounded by reporters as he made his way inside.
Speaking to reporters camped outside, Chaudry asked them to “let some of the suspense remain”, adding that whatever will happen will be for the best.
“Are you with the opposition or with the government?” asked one journalist.
“Whatever will happen will be for the best,” he reiterated with a smile. He added that the members of the group would welcome Aleem Khan, saying that he was their “brother”.
“Is (Punjab chief minister Usman) Buzdar going or staying?” asked another reporter.
“Have some patience. Watch and see what will happen,” he said, moving inside.
Meanwhile, the meeting of the Tareen group comes as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of opposition parties, is in the process of finalising a no-confidence motion against the prime minister, claiming to have the support of enough lawmakers in the parliament to make the ouster a success.
In February, the PML-N had confirmed the party was in touch with the disgruntled group to seek its support to oust the government. At the same time, the group had also met at the residence of PML-Q leaders, who are a key ally of the PTI government in Punjab and centre.
Speaking to reporters at the time, Tareen said the purported no-confidence motion had not been tabled yet and it was not clear whether it would be at all.
To a question about any contacts with the opposition, he said the group had gathered after a long time and it was yet to be seen how it should play its role in the current political scenario.
He further maintained political leaders stayed in touch with each other, adding the group would hold more huddles to discuss their future strategy.
Tareen said they also talked about inflation during the meeting, but nothing specific about the no-confidence motion. “It is premature to discuss this issue,” he had said, urging the premier to provide relief to the masses.
Meanwhile, it was reported that PM Imran reached out to Tareen in what appeared to be a bid to ensure he hadn’t lost his old friend to the opposition.
