LAHORE – Several PTI lawmakers have offered to quit the Assemblies in support of party stalwart Jahangir Tareen, during a meeting held at his Lahore residence on Saturday.
A private TV channel reported that more than 30 members of both the National and Provincial Assemblies attended the huddle and discussed the roadmap ahead for the party, with a majority of them offering to resign.
According to the report, the offer of resignations was not unanimously agreed upon by all lawmakers as a measure suited for the time being. The lawmakers were, however, of the opinion that if “injustices” against Tareen continue, then the option of resignations from the Assemblies must be exercised.
The sources said that the lawmakers also decided to contact others from the party.
They added that another meeting has been called on April 21 at the same venue to discuss Prime Minister Imran Khan’s silence over a letter sent by party members expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs, as well as Tareen’s court summonings.
Meanwhile, ruling party MNA Raja Riaz has said that around 40 legislators of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf were seeking justice from Prime Minister Imran Khan in the State of Madina.
Raja Riaz urges PM Imran to ensure justice
Talking to the newsmen after attending proceedings of Jehangir Khan Tareen’s case in the Banking Court on Saturday, he regretted that the captain was not listening to the genuine complaint of his 40 team members.
About 40 MNAs/MPAs accompanied JKT to the court to express solidarity with the PTI stalwart.
“We all think that injustice is being done to JKT. Captain of the team is not meeting us. We are still part of the PTI and request PM not to linger on the matter”, PTI MNA from Faisalabad said, adding, that some people were misguiding the PTI chief about JKT.
He warned that if such behaviour continued then they will have no choice but make own decisions.
“We are stating for the last time to Imran Khan to provide justice in the State of Madina”, he said while giving warning of devising future strategy within few days if JKT was not given justice.
Talking to media, Jahangir Tareen said that he has nothing to do with the sugar mafia, cartelisation or increase in sugar price in Pakistan.
“There are three FIRs against me and all have nothing to do with sugar”, he said while suggesting people to read FiRs.
He further explained that the FIRs did not mention the rise in the price of sugar, but picked up things relating to business from eight to 10 years ago.
To a question, he said that this investigation was not the domain of the FIA.
Tareen said a fictional story has been fabricated against him.
“My documentation is clear and transparent. I pay my Income Tax every year. Mine and my family’s accounts are with the Income Tax people,” he said. He said that tax department knows about all his monetary transactions.
He alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to malign his name. However, JKT didn’t answer question of a reporter who asked to point out the name out of Shahzad Akbar, Azam Khan, Asad Umar or Shah Mehmood Qureshi. When Ishaq Khakwani tried to mention a name in this regard, JKT stopped him from doing so.
Earlier, the court extended pre arrest bail of Jahangir Khan Tareen and his son Ali Tareen till May 3 in alleged corporate fraud and money laundering cases.
During the hearing, Tareen’s counsel informed the court that his clients are cooperating with the agency and will join investigation again on April 19th.
The court after hearing extended their interim bail till May 3.
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