KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Thursday characterised the harassment allegations levelled by former PTI member Ayesha Gulalai as part of a “coordinated effort by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and a media group” to malign him.

In an interview to a private news channel, Mr Khan claimed he was taken by surprise by the MNA’s allegations, especially because he had met her only 24 hours before her explosive press conference on Tuesday. “She was there with the NA-1 delegation; we discussed the seat as she wanted a ticket and asked me to let her campaign there... [and] give a speech,” he said.

“I told her that her performance in the assembly was not good and we had given her a reserved seat. I thought she had a lot of potential...; she performed very well in the beginning.... I don’t know what happened to her,” the PTI chief said.

He suspected the PML-N had used Ms Gulalai and their “old smear tactics” to achieve their own ends.

Earlier, the PTI chairman took to the social media and asked his party colleagues to refrain from attacking Ms Gulalai’s sister, Maria Toorpakai, who is an international squash player.

Commenting directly for the first time since the allegations were made, he tweeted using his official account (@ImranKhanPTI): “My request to all PTI supporters is to immediately refrain from targeting Ayesha Gulalai’s sister.”

After Ms Gulalai’s press conference, PTI’s Alia Hamza had brought up the sportswoman in her remarks against the MNA.

“Gulalai claims that Imran Khan wants to bring western culture; she should first look at her own home,” she said. Some PTI supporters also criticised the squash player’s dresses.

Immediately after his first tweet, PTI chief tweeted: “After seeing their efforts to get me disqualified & their smear campaigns ag me all fail, PML-N is moving to do what it does best.” He followed this up with: “Try & purchase its way into toppling the legitimate KP govt. Rest assured there will be no counter offers/Changa Mangas”.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Petroleum subsidy
Updated 21 Mar, 2023

Petroleum subsidy

The govt seems more interested in reviving its political capital through ad hoc measures rather than fixing economy.
Country on edge
21 Mar, 2023

Country on edge

THE country is tearing itself apart. With politics being conducted with unprecedented venom and vitriol, there is...
Afghan funding cut
21 Mar, 2023

Afghan funding cut

AS the world grapples with multiple crises, the miseries of the people of Afghanistan seem to have been relegated to...
Trading for peace
Updated 20 Mar, 2023

Trading for peace

It remains to be seen whether the current army leadership pursues Bajwa doctrine for Pak-India peace or has other ideas.
A thrilling finish
20 Mar, 2023

A thrilling finish

IT was a Pakistan Super League final that had everything: thrills and spills, enthralling drama and a tantalisingly...
Covid-19 threat
20 Mar, 2023

Covid-19 threat

THE National Command and Operation Centre’s recent recommendation that people wear masks at crowded public places...