Pervez Khattak mulls forming 'new political party'

ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Pervez Khattak, who recently resigned from the president of the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter over the May 9 violent protest, has decided to form a new political party, ARY News reported on Thursday citing sources.

Sources privy to the development told ARY News that PTI deserters are expected to join the new political setup led by senior politician Pervez Khattak.

Khattak has claimed that more than 50 former members of parliamentarians (MPs) are in contact with him and would join his new political set-up, say sources.

Moreover, Pervez Khattak’s residence in Islamabad has become the centre of political activity as Khattak group has intensified efforts to contact more PTI bigwigs from KP and other areas.

Tareen set to launch ‘Istehkam-e-Pakistan’ party

The development comes days after seasoned politician Jahangir Tareen announced to launch his political party. Tareen, who has been disqualified for life from the Supreme Court and was in oblivion, has become active following the May 9 mayhem and the fallout from it.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Sports and Tourism Awn Chaudhry has unveiled that Jahangir Tareen’s new party would be called “Istehkam-e-Pakistan”.

Meanwhile, more than 100 leaders from across Pakistan attended the former Punjab minister Aleem Khan’s dinner for seasoned politician Jahangir Tareen. Former governor Sindh Imran Ismail and Ali Zaidi and others had also attended dinner.

The other PTI leaders who attended his dinner included Mahmood Molvi, Ali Zaidi, Imran Ismail from Sindh and Ajmal Wazir, Murad Raas, Fayazul Hasan Chauhan, Firdous Ashiq Awan.

Moreover, all the leaders who attended the dinner expressed their trust and confidence in Jahangir Tareen. He will announce the party and manifesto in a news conference today (Thursday).