PTI down in the dumps as key leaders part ways over May 9 mayhem
Pakistan
Shireen Mazari, Fayyaz Chohan and Musarrat Cheema are among others to announce quitting the PTI
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – In a dramatic development in the country’s politics, several PTI leaders announced their departure from the party over May 9 mayhem on Wednesday, leaving party chief Imran Khan in further distress.
Former ministers Shireen Mazari and Fayyazul Chohan were the latest political figures who announced to say goodbye to the party. Among others who parted ways are Aamir Mehmood Kiani, Malik Amin Aslam, Mahmood Moulvi and Aftab Siddiqui. The announcements came through press conferences where the party leaders were seen publicly denouncing the attacks on the state installations.
Former minister Shireen Mazari said goodbye to politics at a press conference on Tuesday. She also condemned the violence that erupted on May 9 last after the arrest of former premier Imran Khan. She said her family was her priority.
Chohan told media that he said his family was imbued with the love of army, adding that he would keep uncovering the conspiracies against Pakistan. “No one from the party leadership tried to stop PTI chief Imran Khan from doing violent politics,” he added.
"It was only me who tried to convince Mr Khan to do non-violent politics," he said. “Consequently, he was banned from entering Zaman Park after he was granted the designation of media adviser by Mr Khan,” he added.
He went on to say that he had conveyed a message to Mr Khan to keep his struggle purely political instead of targeting institutions. “I told Mr Khan that the people around you are not advising you right,” he added.
PTI chief Imran Khan found a new trend what he termed as "forced divorces" in the wake of goodbyes to the PTI.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2023
Scholar on South Asian Affairs Michael Kugelman called the move as "big blow to the party".
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) May 23, 2023
On the other hand, PTI leader Taimur Khan Jhagra warned that this would not take PTI's politics forward.
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) May 23, 2023
Liberty was elusive
Earlier, PTI leader Shireen Mazari was arrested for the fifth time from outside the court of judicial magistrate in Kharian soon after she was set free by the court.
The PTI leader was arrested by the Gujrat police after her release from Adiala Jail on Monday. She was arrested in a case registered against her on May 11 in Kharian. She is accused of taking part in a protest demonstration held on May 10 in Kharian against Pakistan and inciting the public.
Dr Mazari was produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate Akhtar Ali on Tuesday. Dr Mazari’s lawyer told the court that she was not present in the protest and she never visited Kharian before. Listening to the arguments, the magistrate ordered immediate release of Dr Mazari.
A video which surfaced in the media after her release shows the PTI leader being taken away by unidentified people in a vehicle having no number plate on the court premises.
Farrukh Habib's tweet
Earlier, on Monday, taking to Twitter, PTI leader Farrukh Habib had written, "Punjab police have arrested Ms Mazari outside Adiala jail".
— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) May 23, 2023
The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench had, earlier, declared PTI leader Dr Shireen Mazari's arrest illegal and ordered her immediate release. Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz of the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court conducted hearing of the petition filed against detention of PTI leader Shireen Mazari. Her counsel Barrister Shoaib Razzaq and Aneeq Khatana appeared in the court while her daughter Iman Mazari was also present.
The court ordered that if Shireen Mazari was not named in any other case, she should not be arrested again. The court also asked Shireen Mazari to submit an affidavit to the deputy commissioner that she would not indulge in any such activity in future.
Speaking to the media, Iman Mazari said her mother was arrested three times in a week. “But today the court cancelled the second MPO order against my mother. The government should not try to destroy the houses like this,” she said.
Iman Mazari said she had no link with the PTI but it was unfortunate that Imran Khan forgot the workers and party leaders.
