Fawad says never parted ways with PTI

RAWALPINDI: Veteran politician Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday those who abandon something return to it but since he never quit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) there was no question of him going back.

The former federal minister said this in response to a question asked during his media talk on the premises of an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi.

Former minister Shireen Mazari also arrived at the ATC to face the trial, as numerous former and current leaders of the embattled party are booked in the cases pertaining to the incidents of May 9, 2023, during which military installations were attacked.

Chaudhry appeared before the court in a case pertaining to May 9 riots, highlighting about going through a “difficult time” and the need for the “bitterness” to fade away.

Pointing towards the perils of his opening up on the trying experience that he went through following the riots, Chaudhry said he was yet to tell his side of the story with regard to what happened in the wake of the May 9 violence.

“The stories of only those who appeared on television have surfaced following last year’s event,” he said, adding: “When our turn comes, we will tell our story.” Chaudhry opined the PTI should hold negotiations with all the stakeholders including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (HUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Talking to a private TV channel lately, PTI Information Secretary Raoof Hasan had said he believed his party would not accept Fawad Chaudhry back into its fold again.

In response to a query, Hasan said: “I did not receive any green light from PTI founder Imran Khan about taking Chaudhry back in the party’s camp.”The party spokesperson added he did not foresee the return of any former party leader, who jumped ship in difficult times, back to the party. He said there were many of them trying to rejoin PTI after facing political demise, but the party’s founder did not approve it.

Hasan said a younger and ideological lot had emerged in the party after the May 9 episode.Separately, talking to a TV news channel, PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat admitted that “some friends” were trying to re-induct Chaudhry in the party, however, the party leadership and workers had reservations over his return.

“Those who levelled allegations on the party founder and the party itself, there is no chance of their return to the fold,” he said.It may be mentioned here that the former minister had, on May 24, 2023, announced “taking a break from politics” and parting ways with Imran Khan over May 9 mayhem when party workers and supporters allegedly attacked public and military installations immediately after the arrest of the PTI founder.

“I am parting ways with Imran Khan and stepping down from party position,” the politician wrote in a tweet following the mass exit of leaders from the party over the May 9 vandalism.Meanwhile, replying to a query about her return to PTI, Mazari said at the moment she could not say anything about it as she had quit politics for now. She said they were facing court trial regularly and it seemed there was no terrorist left but PTI members.

Awami Muslim League chief and former ally of the PTI, Sheikh Rashid, also arrived at the ATC.When questioned by journalists about his association with the party, he said he was not in contact with any PTI leader including its founder.Rashid also demanded the release of all the innocent people arrested in May 9 cases.