Tareen, loyalists form group in NA, Punjab assembly

Published May 19, 2021
This file photo shows Jehangir Khan Tareen. — DawnNewsTV/File
This file photo shows Jehangir Khan Tareen. — DawnNewsTV/File

LAHORE: Jehangir Khan Tareen, once a close friend to Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Tuesday formalised the split in the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, when he announced parliamentary leaders of “his group” — both in the National and the Punjab assemblies.

Raja Riaz, a member of the National Assembly from Faisalabad, and the most vocal supporter of Mr Tareen, was named the group’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, while Saeed Akbar Niwani in the Punjab assembly.

The announcement came at a dinner hosted by Mr Tareen at his residence where, according to Raja Riaz, four more MNAs and as many MPAs had joined the group. This, Raja Riaz claimed, had brought the total strength of the group close to 40.

These parliamentarians are expected to accompany Mr Tareen to the court where he would be appearing for renewal of his bail.

The announcement triggered a taunting match between the PML-N and the PTI supporters on social media. The PML-N people reminded the PTI that while trying to take ‘sheen’ (Shehbaz Sharif) out of `noon’ (PML-N), the PTI has lost its`tay’ (read Tareen).

PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan, however, tweeted to remind everyone: “Imran Khan is the PTI and PTI is Imran Khan.”

Political leaders, however, saw it coming. “It was a possibility, rather probability,” said Shahid Mahmood, a local politician, while talking to Dawn.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.