Web DeskPublished: 9 June 2023 at 10:26 | Updated: 12 June 2023 at 10:26
Pervez Khattak Denies Meeting with Jahangir Tareen, Rejects Secretary General Offer from IPP
In a surprising turn of events, Pervez Khattak, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has denied reports of meeting with Jahangir Tareen, the chief of the Istihkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). Speaking exclusively to Geo News, Khattak stated that he has not engaged in any discussions regarding political matters and is currently refraining from commenting on the subject.
Contrary to recent speculations, Khattak clarified that he has not been offered the position of secretary general in Tareen's newly-established IPP, nor has he accepted any such offer. Emphasizing his commitment to his current position and his ongoing communication with colleagues in the province, Khattak indicated that he remains dedicated to his work within the PTI.
These developments follow Khattak's announcement two weeks ago, in which he revealed his resignation as the president of the PTI's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter. However, it is worth noting that an aide to the PTI chairman dismissed the reports of Khattak's departure as mere "propaganda," suggesting that he has not officially severed ties with the party.
Jahangir Tareen, once a close aide to PTI Chairman Imran Khan and instrumental in the party's rise to power in 2018, officially launched the IPP last Thursday. Expressing his commitment to contributing to the country's progress, Tareen outlined his reasons for entering politics once again.
The IPP has not only attracted the attention of Tareen and Khattak but also several other former PTI members who defected following the May 9 unrest. The arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on that day sparked nationwide rioting, leading to attacks and vandalism of significant military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the Lahore Corp Commander's residence.
Since the May 9 incident, a significant number of PTI leaders have jumped ship, with some announcing their departure from politics altogether during their respective press conferences. Notable individuals who have joined the IPP alongside Tareen and Khattak include Fawad Chaudhry, Ali Zaidi, Imran Ismail, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Mahmood Baqi Maulvi, Fayaz ul Hassan Chohan, and Murad Raas.
As the political landscape continues to witness these dramatic shifts, the future of the PTI and the IPP remains uncertain, leaving political observers and the public eager to see how these developments will shape Pakistan's political landscape in the coming months.