RAHIM YAR KHAN: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNAs, MPAs and other members who joined the dinner hosted by estranged party leader Jahangir Khan Tareen in his support have actually revolted against the party, said the party’s former district president Rana Raheel Ahmed Khan here on Sunday.

Khan, also the district food control committee coordinator, gathered more than 100 old party workers at his office to extend support to Prime Minister Imran Khan, condemn the act of local parliamentarians loyal to Mr Tareen and hold a protest at the city bridge that was later cancelled.

Answering questions of reporters, Khan alleged that the MNA from Liaquatpur tehsil, Makhdoom Mobeen Ahmed, and RYK’s Javed Warraich not only announced their support for Tareen, but also polled in favour of Yousuf Raza Gillani in the Senate elections.

He further said that MPA Asif Majeed and a member from Sadiqabad City, Sajjad Warraich, were also present at Tareen’s dinner, adding that all these parliamentarians wanted to get a relief (NRO) from the prime minister after blackmailing him. A person disqualified by the court wanted to get the parliamentarians disqualified who stood against the party on his instructions.

When contacted, MPA Majeed claimed that he had gone to Tareen’s dinner only because of his friendship with the senior party leader. He said it was impossible that Tareen will quit the PTI for any other party because he was already disqualified and his switching will dishearten the PTI workers.

MNA Warraich could not be contacted as his mobile phone was powered off, while MNA Ahmed did not respond to repeated requests for comments.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2021