Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has suspended basic party membership of Hamid Khan, one of the founding members of PTI, for allegedly tarnishing the image of the ruling party in the print and electronic media. Hamid Khan has said that the establishment now controls the party since non-ideological members are holding key positions. Mr. Khan, last year revealed that a federal minister used to take money when his uncle was the chief justice of Lahore High court.
PTI suspends basic membership of Hamid Khan, one of the founders. Says hamid khan tarnished image of the party. pic.twitter.com/zDM4cIOjHt
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) December 1, 2019
The senior Supreme Court lawyer has also been given seven days to explain his position over allegedly speaking against and defaming the party, according to a notification issued on Sunday. Ms. Fauzia Kasuri tweeted and shared some more information, saying “I was disqualified for contesting a party election in 2013 by Hamid Khan as a conspiracy to keep me out. I was devastated”.
I was disqualified fr contesting a party election in 2013 by Hamid Khan as a conspiracy 2 keep me out.I was devastated. IK agreed that it was injustice n promised me Insaf..never happened. I forgave HK for my peace n for the pleasure of Allah. Now this?Not ri8 for a founder mbr. https://t.co/rXeRvYoacW
— Fauzia Kasuri (@FauziaKasuri) December 1, 2019
The decision was taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the chairman of the ruling party. “It is noted that you have repeatedly, in the print and electronic media, spoken against and maligned/defamed the party without any justification, and on the basis of fake and false allegations which amount to malafide,” read the notification.
In an interview a few months ago, Hamid Khan told a private TV channel that the establishment has got his party under control. “I own this party as Imran Khan does,” he had said. “It was considered a party of change.” He believes that the establishment “controls” political parties through feudal lords.
سینیئر رہنما پی ٹی آئی حامد خان کے تہلکہ خیز انکشافات!!
پرویز خٹک کیسے پی ٹی آئی میں آئے؟ پرویز الہی کی بات میں کتنا وزن ہے؟
کیا کپتان اب بھی نظریاتی ہیں؟ پی ٹی آئی کو کس نے نقصان پہنچایا؟
مکمل پروگرام: https://t.co/PVFgRlYoe4@HAMIDKHAN_NA125 @sawaalwithamber @AmberRShamsi pic.twitter.com/z9CrOKk8o2— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) November 18, 2019
In a TV interview, Pervaiz Elahi, leader of PML-Q, alleged that a former head of a security agency had forced some prominent Q-Leaguers, including Jahangir Khan Tareen and Aleem Khan, to quit the party and join the Imran Khan-led PTI back in 2010. Hamid Khan said that Mr. Chaudhary has rightly pointed out the fact.
Hamid Khan was charged with “having committed misconduct, violated party discipline and party constitution by making fake, false, frivolous, wrong allegations, bringing party matters in the media for ulterior motives and thereby acting against party interests and also hurting the feelings of party members and workers”.
Read more: The founding of PTI: From an idea to a social revolution
The senior PTI leader was also barred from speaking against the party on electric and print, as well as, on social media during the inquiry proceedings. However, Hamid Khan clarified that he has no Twitter account.
Hamid Khan was approached and asked if he was on Twitter. He has categorically denied it and says somebody has created a fake account @HamidKPti in his name. Please report this account.
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) December 2, 2019
Notably, in December 2018, Hamid Khan seconded Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanullah’s claim that Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry used to take bribes from people in exchange for favorable verdicts by a former Lahore High Court (LHC) chief justice, who is also his uncle.
Moreover, Hamid had authored a book in which he had said that a nephew of the judge, Justice (r) Iftikhar Hussain, used to accept money from people who wanted a favorable decision.
Read more: How accountable would be PTI’s Government?
Analysts believe that Hamid Khan must not be forced to leave the party like retired Justice Wajihuddin Ahmad who quitted PTI after developing serious disagreements with the chairman. The departure of Hamid Khan shall have heavy cost since he is considered to be one the most respectful and committed party members. “it shall be the end of a long journey if Hamid Khan says goodbye to PTI” analysts believe.