SWABI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader and former speaker of National Assembly Asad Qaiser has rejected the rumours that that he has planned to leave the country.

A post went viral on social media on Wednesday night that claimed that Asad Qaiser had already booked ticket to leave for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. The report gave the impression that he would leave the country and might not return soon.

The news on social media was a surprise for PTI workers. Mr Qaiser was contesting election for NA-20, the constituency from where he had emerged victorious in 2013 and 2018 general elections.

The number of ticket and flight was given in the post. It said that he would depart from Islamabad airport and his distinction was Jeddah. The post said that he would return to the country in March through the same airline.

It was also stated in the report that a few days ago Mr Qaiser submitted an application to Peshawar High Court that he should be given permission to perform Umrah, however, it was not explained that he got the permission or not.

It was claimed that before the announcement of the election results, he was planning to move out of the country.

However, Mr Qaiser said in a video message that PTI workers should ignore such propaganda and focus on their work and contribution to the party. He advised the workers to concentrate on strengthening the party through their own respective capability.

“I am here and not going anywhere. The flight ticket is fake and these elements just want to harm me,” said Mr Qaiser. He added that those tactics would not be succeeded and PTI leaders and workers were aware of such strategies.

He said that he was there to foil and counter the negative propaganda of those, who hatched conspiracies to damage PTI and defame it among people. However, locals said that the viral report on social media badly harmed his position on the day of elections.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2024