PESHAWAR: In an unusual move, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTIP) — a defector party led by former chief ministers Mahmood Khan and Pervez Khattak — has announced a movement for the release of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan.
PTI Parliamentarians General Secretary Malik Habib Noor Okrzai said in a statement that the PTI leadership was hesitant on the issue of Imran Khan’s release, but they will not remain silent.
He declared that they would launche a movement for Imran Khan’s release very soon which will continue until he comes out of jail.
PTIP spokesperson Ziaullah Bangash, while speaking to Urdu News, said that the current PTI leadership was not serious about Imran Khan’s release.
“It seems that the PTI has compromised on the release of Imran Khan, that’s why the Islamabad public rally was repeatedly being postponed,” he said.
Bangash said that PTI leaders and workers are disillusioned, accusing the leadership of making excuses instead of prioritising the demand for Imran Khan’s release
The PTIP spokesperson also said that many people are in touch with Chairman Mehmood Khan about starting the movement, although the strategy has not been finalised yet.
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He criticized the central and provincial leadership of PTI for not prioritizing Imran Khan’s release, stating that they got votes in his name but are now enjoying the power and positions.
According to Bangash, PTIP Secretary General Habib Noor is in contact with various leaders regarding the movement, and a final decision will be made soon.
Bangash said that the PTIP might merge with PTI to support Imran Khan’s release.
“If we join the PTI, we will actively participate in the movement for Khan’s release,” he said clarifying that no final decision has been made yet.
The PTIP spokesperson claimed to have contacted Imran Khan before leaving PTI. “I was in hiding, but my family was being harassed. When Khan Sahib was informed about the situation, he instructed me to protect my family first,” Bangash said. He said that he quit the PTI following Imran Khan’s advice and joined the PTIP.
He said that PTIP is a democratic party that can start a movement for any political figure imprisoned unjustly. The youth are looking towards the PTIP, and they will soon join the movement for Imran Khan’s release, he said.
Regarding the Islamabad rally on September 8, the PTIP stated that no decision has been made, nor has the party been invited to join and contacts are being made with Mehmood Khan for further action.