ISLAMABAD: While estranged Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda had pinned his hopes on party Chairman Imran Khan, the former premier himself terminated Mr Vawda’s party membership on Saturday.

Reacting to the party’s decision during a Geo TV programme on Saturday night, Mr Vawda said he was still part of the PTI. He said Imran Khan had been misguided by some people in the party.

On Wednesday, Faisal Vawda, while speaking at a news conference here, had claimed that journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder was “pre-planned” and “conspired” in Pakistan. He claimed Mr Sharif was shot dead from inside the car he was travelling in or at a close range [in Nairobi, Kenya].

He had also claimed that the PTI’s long march on Islamabad would be “bloody” with deaths of innocent people. He had further alleged that he would try to play his role to stop the march as some elements within the party were trying to “use” Imran Khan.

The press conference was covered live by the mainstream media as well as the state-run Pakistan Television.

Following the press conference, PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi had on the same day issued a show-cause notice to Mr Vawda, accusing him of violating party discipline, and asked him to submit a reply within two days. However, Vawda, in a television interview, had claimed he was only answerable to the party chairman.

But on Saturday, Mr Khan himself issued a letter to terminate Vawda’s basic party membership.

“This is [in] reference to the show-cause notice issued to you dated Oct 26, 2022 for defying party policy. You have not responded to the notice within the stipulated timeline. Therefore, your membership from the party stands terminated,” the letter signed by the PTI chief read.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2022