Sindh governor mandated to hold talks with Khan, Tareen
LAHORE
Former senior minister of Punjab, Aleem Khan has joined Jahangir Khan Tareen’s faction of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with an aim to “save” the party after “loyalists were sidelined” following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s rise to power.
Aleem, who stepped down from the post of Punjab government minister in November last year, while addressing the media on Monday said that he along with his “like-minded” supporters joined the Tareen group to “strengthen the party”.
He said, “This party [PTI] belongs to everyone not only to any individual” and regretting that Tareen was neglected by Prime Minister Imran Khan after he came into power in 2018. During the last 10 years of PTI’s struggle, Jahangir Tareen played a major role and made contributions for the party more than any other party leader, he added.
“We are thankful to him […] he is sick at the moment, so I asked Nawani to hold the meeting at Tareen’s residence. This was done in order to give a message to Tareen that despite his absence, he is not forgotten,” he said.
Khan said it is still not clear why Tareen was not given importance after PTI came into power. “All those who struggled alongside Imran Khan for a “Naya Pakistan” were sidelined, and we still don’t know the reason behind it.”
“Maybe once a government is formed, new people surround the leader, and the loyalists — who supported the leader during his hard times — are cornered,” Khan expressed.
Khan praised all the PTI members who “stood by Tareen in his difficult times”, as he lauded the estranged party leader for remaining “determined to his cause”.
Without taking the name of Imran Khan, Aleem said that he is being surrounded by “parachuters” and not by loyal PTI workers who supported the party not for any vested interest but for bringing change in the country. The senior party leader said he has been in contact with over 40 PTI MPAs who have expressed reservations over the performance of the PTI government.
“PTI voters and loyalists are upset over the dismal situation of the government in Punjab. Therefore, we decided that a like-minded [group] should be formed of lawmakers who have sacrificed for the party.” He further said, “We have gathered here today to show our strength and express support to Tareen.”
When asked about a no-confidence motion against the government, Aleem said the decision will be taken with mutual consultation with all disgruntled members whether to support the opposition’s move or not.
The opposition has upped the ante to move a no-confidence motion against the government in the national and Punjab assemblies. They have also contacted several PTI leaders, including Tareen.
Responding to the press conference, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill said Khan is “a brother” and disputes often take place “between siblings”.
He admitted that anyone can have reservations regarding the way of governance, but noted that the PTI-led government is “ready to resolve the concerns” of the group.
“Aleem Khan has not yet issued a clear course of action […] we are not worried, as these are our own people,” the SAPM said.
Meanwhile, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said PM Imran Khan has given him the mandate to hold talks with Khan and he would be leaving for Lahore on Monday.
“I will try to contact Jahangir Tareen today […] Aleem Khan had reservations regarding governance in Punjab earlier as well,” he said.
