By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Former allies of Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan launched a new political party on Monday, challenging his leadership and accusing him of pursuing an anti-state agenda that sparked violent protests in May.
The new party, named Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTIP), is headed by former defence minister Pervez Khattak, who was once a close associate of Khan and served as the chief minister of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province under his rule.
The PTIP said it had the support of dozens of former members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, including over 57 parliamentarians from the previous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly.
The announcement came weeks after another former confidant of Khan, sugar baron Jahangir Khan Tareen, launched his own party, adding to speculation that the military, which has a history of meddling in politics, is backing alternative options to Khan ahead of the next general election due later this year.
Khan was removed from power in April last year after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament. He has since been arrested on charges of land fraud and has accused the military of orchestrating his downfall.
His supporters staged violent protests across the country on May 9, attacking military installations and properties, including the army headquarters and the home of a top general. The military has vowed to punish those responsible for the violence and has said it will try them in military courts.
The PTIP said it was formed as a result of “differences and protests” within the PTI after the May 9 unrest.
“All political representatives of the new party hold former prime minister Imran Khan responsible for the tragedy of May 9,” the PTIP said in a statement. “Imran Khan’s anti-state agenda has been rejected not only by the masses but also by his own party’s leadership.”
The PTI has suspended Khattak’s membership for allegedly inciting party leaders to defect. It has also threatened to ban the PTIP and Tareen’s party, saying they are working against the national interest.
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