Lahore (Web Desk): Several former key players of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have decided to join a new political party formed by former ruling party's disgruntled leader and sugar baron, Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT).
According to the sources, Tareen will announce his new party at a local hotel in Lahore.
As per the reports, the new political party, Istehkam-e-Pakistan, comprises more than 100 former ruling party leaders including former Members of National Assembly (MNAs) and provincial assemblies.
The announcement was made at the residence of Aleem Khan, another estranged leader of the PTI, where a dinner was hosted for the former ruling party legislators.
Those who are set to join the party include former Sindh governor Imran Ismail, ex-shipping minister Ali Zaidi, former federal minister Amir Kayani, Firdous Ashiq Awan, Mahmood Maulvi, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, Murad Raas and Jai Parkash.
Former adviser to Punjab CM Ali Gilani, ex-lawmakers Mumtaz Mahrvi, Azmat Chishti and Mehr Irshad Kathia, and former PTI leaders retired Maj Khurram Rokhari and Usman Ashraf also met Mr Tareen and joined his group.Moreover, GG Jamal from erstwhile Fata, Ajmal Parvez, Nauman Langrial from Punjab and Naurez Shakoor also joined the new party.
Former adviser to Punjab chief minister for auqaf and religious affairs Syed Rafakat Ali Gillani also joined Tareen's party.
Ex-MPA from Chishtian Mumtaz Mehrvi also announced joining Istehkam-e-Pakistan.
Similarly, former MPA from Sahiwal, Mehr Irshad Kathia, Mian Usman Ashraf from Nankana Sahib, and Major (retd) Khurram Rokhiri from Mianwali decided to join the new party.
Several leaders of the PTI had parted ways with the party after the government held Imran Khan responsible for the riots that broke out across the country following his arrest in a graft case on May 9.
Later, Multiple PTI leaders were arrested under Maintenance of Public Order laws and jailed which led to a mass exodus of PTI leaders.