Gandapur denies Imran was part of ‘London plan’

PAT leader says earlier statement was taken out of context


Our Correspondent October 23, 2018
Tahirul Qadri and Imran Khan. PHOTOS: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Khurram Nawaz Gandapur has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan was never present during the London meetings, where decision to launch a nationwide campaign against the then government was made.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Gandapur said the meetings – which were later dubbed as “The London plan” – took place in front of the media and was only attended by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

And Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, now the Prime Minister of Pakistan, was never part of it, he made it clear.

It was widely reported by media outlets that ahead of the 2014 sit-in in Islamabad, Qadri, Chaudhrys and the PTI chief, who had landed in London unannounced, held a series of meetings in the British capital.

I can unite Zardari, Imran whenever I want: Qadri

The meetings were largely believed to have taken place to form a grand alliance to overthrow the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

Before the media talk, Gandapur had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against a high court decision regarding former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and Rana Sanaullah in the Model Town case, saying he had pinned his hopes on the top court for relief.

“Shehbaz had warned Qadri would be dealt with, with an iron hand upon his return,” said the PAT leader, alleging the then Punjab chief minister had devised a revenge plan for the PAT supremo.

He further clarified that his statement on the London meetings was broadcast out of context. “The London meeting was known to media where it was decided a protest was to be launched,” he said.

PML-N leaders, including the former CM and Khawaja Saad Rafique, had threatened to teach Qadri a lesson over the protests.

“We are thankful to Prime Minister Imran for removing officials involved in the incident to ensure a free and fair trial,” said Gandapur, adding that Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had taken a suo moto notice of the application from a PAT worker named Basma.

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