Jahangir Khan Tareen Announces Formation of New National-Level Political Party

In a significant political development, Jahangir Khan Tareen, a former estranged leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has decided to establish a new national-level political party, according to reliable sources. The decision comes after Tareen remained out of the political scene for some time.

Sources reveal that several discontented PTI leaders are expected to join the new political setup, expressing their dissatisfaction with the current party. In addition to these members, influential political families from various regions, including Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzzafargarh, Lodhran, and Multan, are also anticipated to join forces with Tareen.

The sources further claim that significant leaders from Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan have already reached out to the former PTI leader to express their interest in joining his party.

It has been disclosed that Tareen will assume the role of patron-in-chief of the newly formed party, emphasizing his prominent position within the organization.

Tareen, who previously served as the secretary general of PTI, was expelled from politics in 2017 after the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified him on grounds of dishonesty, following a petition filed by Hanif Abbasi, a leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Despite his disqualification, Tareen continued to be associated with PTI and played a crucial role in persuading independent lawmakers to join the party after the 2018 elections. His efforts proved instrumental in securing Imran Khan's premiership in 2018.

However, tensions arose between Tareen, PTI, and another party leader, Aleem Khan, after they came to power. In May 2022, former Prime Minister Khan revealed that his differences with both leaders stemmed from their alleged pursuit of "illegal benefits" from him. Khan cited disagreements over land regularization and a sugar scandal probe as catalysts for the souring of relationships.

Both Tareen and Khan remained silent and in the background until the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) initiated a vote of no-confidence against Imran Khan in April of the following year, resulting in his removal from the premiership.

During the no-confidence motion, a faction of dissident PTI members emerged, lending their support to Tareen. Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Raja Riaz was among those who aligned with Tareen's cause.

Notably, rumors about Tareen's intention to form a new party have been circulating since last year. In January of this year, reports surfaced that Tareen, Aleem Khan, and other PTI dissidents were planning to launch a new political party. Subsequently, in March, news emerged of a splinter group named "Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Nazriyati (PTIN) or Haqeeqi Tehreek-e-Insaaf (HTI)" being formed to participate in upcoming elections. The proposal for this group was put forth during an Iftar dinner attended by dissident PTI members, including Raja Riaz and Awn Chaudhry.

Furthermore, a significant number of leaders have distanced themselves from PTI following the crackdown on the party after the May 9 protests surrounding Imran Khan's arrest. Notably, Rao Yasir, the former PTI Multan district Youth Wing president, formed a faction called PTI Haqiqi a day prior to these events.