No place for Fawad Chaudhry in PTI: Spokesman
ISLAMABAD: A set of Pakistan Tehrik-e-insaf (PTI leaders is all set to block re-joining of the party by its former information minister Fawad Chaudhry.
He has said that only Pakistan Muslim Leaguenawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif holds the key to easing the prevailing political tensions.
In a quick response, PTI spokesman Raoof Hasan said that Chaudhry has no business to issue any statement on the PTI’S behalf. “Chaudhry is not part of the PTI, and when he was its spokesman, his policy and narratives had a disastrous impact on the party.”
To a question as to when he is re-joining the PTI, Chaudhry posed a counter query as to when did he leave it. However, the PTI spokesman gave the impression that his party has no place for Chaudhry.
The former minister said that the path to reconciliation could be paved only if the reins of PML-N leadership returned to Nawaz Sharif. “The PML-N’S true politics lies with Nawaz Sharif. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has nothing to do or offer in any dialogue.” Chaudhry described PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah’s suggestion to initiate a dialogue with the PTI as a step in the right direction.
However, he said that one day the PTI was subjected to more restrictions and on the other, the former interior minister spoke about holding talks with the party. “I think that the ruling parties should clarify what they want. They should clarify if they wanted to impose more restrictions on the PTI or engage in a process of dialogue with the party. The PTI will respond accordingly.”
Chaudhry stressed the importance of creating an environment of trust for the process of dialogue to kick off. He pointed out that PTI senator Ejaz Chaudhary was languishing in jail for a year and his production order was not being issued. “I am pointing out small matters that can help in building an atmosphere of trust.”
He noted that the government could provide immediate relief to incarcerated PTI leaders including Omar Cheema, Mehmoodur Rasheed, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Aliya Hamza, and Sanam Javed.
Chaudhry claimed that PTI founding chairman Imran Khan would not strike any deal for his release from jail. He added that only the people could compel the government to set him free. “The government should take some steps to restore the atmosphere of trust.”
The former federal minister said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had noted in its report that there was political instability in Pakistan. “It’s the government’s responsibility to create an environment where things can move forward.”