ISLAMABAD: The PTI has “completely disassociated” itself from former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, stating that he is not authorised to issue statements on media or participate in TV talk shows on behalf of the party.

An official announcement in this regard was made by the party after its chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan along with lawyers met PTI founder Imran Khan in the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Saturday.

During the meeting, Mr Khan issued “special directives” with regard to the party affairs and directed the party chairman to publicly disassociate from Mr Chaudhry since he had already quit the party.

“Accordingly, following Khan Sahab’s instructions, the PTI completely disassociates itself from Fawad Chaudhry and clarifies that Fawad Chaudhry has no relation whatsoever with the PTI. Moreover, he is not authorised to represent the PTI on media, social media, and TV talk shows, or issue statements on behalf of the PTI, or present his personal opinions as the party’s stance,” says the official announcement.

When contacted, Mr Chaudhry said he could not comment on the development, claiming that Mr Khan had himself instructed him not to respond to any criticism of him from the present party office-bearers.

“Unless I meet Imran Khan and know the reason, I cannot comment as Imran Khan has specifically instructed me not to respond to any criticism or statement by present temporary office holders. I am with Imran Khan and really don’t bother about what Gohar Khan or Salman Raja say about my position,” said Mr Chaudhry.

Mr Chaudhry, who had remained in jail for months after the removal of the PTI government in April 2022, after his release had condemned the May 9 violent protest by the PTI and through a tweet on May 24 last year had himself announced to part ways with Mr Khan.

When Mr Chaudhry’s comments were sought on his tweet, he said that he had already stated that “I was tortured and this tweet was done from my account but not by me.”

Talks with govt

Meanwhile, talking to a TV channel outside the Supreme Court building, Mr Gohar, the PTI chairman expressed the hope that the government would soon constitute a team for talks with his party, stating that “talks are the only solution [to the prevailing situation]”.

He said the PTI had already declared that political issues must be settled through a committee.

Mr Gohar said National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had also declared a committee would soon be formed, adding that he also hoped that the government would form the committee in a day or two.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024