In a major political development, former Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi has officially joined PTI, along with 10 former MPAs from PML-Q. The move came hours after his membership was terminated by PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
According to the details, Parvez Elahi, accompanied by 10 PML-Q ex-MPAs, met with PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan at his residence in Zaman Park to swear his allegiance.
After the meeting, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, in a joint press conference, welcomed Parvez Elahi, Moonis Elahi, Hussain Elahi, and their aides.
He underscored that Parvez Elahi had rendered sacrifices and remained steadfast with Imran. He added that the PTI chief offered Elahi to join the party because it would be a win-win arrangement for both sides.
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Pertinent to mention that Parvez Elahi would be given the post of president in the PTI and the senior leadership had already approved the decision.
Speaking on the occasion, Parvez Elahi said he had always supported PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan during thick and thin.
ہر مشکل وقت میں ہم نے عمران خان اور پارٹی کا ساتھ دیا ہے، ڈٹ کر عمران خان کے ساتھ کھڑے ہیں، کوئی ایسا کام نہیں ہو گا جس سے پی ٹی آئی کو نقصان پہنچے، جو عمران خان کی خواہش ہو گی میں وہی کام کروں گا۔
— Ch Parvez Elahi (@ChParvezElahi) February 21, 2023
The former MPAs, who joined the PTI included Hafiz Ammar Yasir, Shujaat Nawaz, Abdullah Warraich, Bao Rizwan, Sajid Bhatti, Ahsanul Haque, Mohammad Afzal, Basma Chaudhry and Khadija Umar Farooqui.
Parvez Elahi’s split from PML-Q
Following the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, Parvez Elahi has had an estranged relationship with Shujaat Hussain who sided with the PDM, meanwhile his cousin Elahi crossed over to the PTI.
Since then, PML-Q has been divided into two camps as Parvez Elahi, his son Moonis, and most of the party leaders sided with the PTI while Chaudhry Shujaat, Salik Hussain, and Tariq Bashir Cheema supported the PML-N.
In January this year when Parvez Elahi hinted at merging the PML-Q with the Imran-led PTI, Shujaat Hussain responded with a show cause notice the next day, asking Parvez Elahi to explain his conduct. Parvez Elahi did not respond to the show cause notice, hence his membership with the party was terminated.
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