Nazir Chohan dissociates from Tareen-led PTI faction

Jahangir Tareen used me for his case and then threw me away, says Punjab MPA

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Nazir Chohan, who was associated with the Jahangir Tareen-led faction, on Wednesday distanced himself from the group and reaffirmed loyalty to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The lawmaker made the announcement in a joint news conference with Punjab Minister for Prisons Fayyazul Hassan Chohan after a sessions court granted him bail. Nazir categorically stated that he no longer had "any association with the Tareen group".

"Jahangir Tareen used me for his case and then threw me away," he alleged. While declaring his embrace of the PM Imran’s line, Chohan said he had only one leader “and his name is Imran Khan."

Explaining his pivot and change of heart, Nazir vehemently hit out at Tareen who he said “would disappear in the hour of need whereas I went to every court summon of him”. "I considered him my leader, but he does not deserve to be considered as one," he said.

Also read: Chohan-Akbar rift comes to an end

Nazir’s decision to backpedal into the party’s establishment comes amid his legal controversies. He was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under cybercrime laws after he made several allegations against the prime minister's adviser on accountability Shahzad Akbar and questioned his faith during a television show on May 19. However, the feud was buried after Chohan apologised to Akbar.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Nazir said: "I am grateful to Chaudhry Pervez Elahi who took a strong stance for me," he said, adding: "Shahzad Akbar was the first to call me when I fell ill and inquired about my health. Tareen should be ashamed of himself for not even bothering to visit me at hospital.”

"I have apologised to Shahzad Akbar in no unclear terms. I am remorseful over my actions which affected him and his family," he said.

Commenting on the matter, Fayyazul Hasan Chohan said that the party was dealing with some internal rifts for a while but that the disgruntled party members took the senior party leadership into confidence over their concerns.

Read more: Akbar forgives Chohan for ‘putting his life at risk’

"Shahzad Akbar played a positive role in assisting mediation efforts," he said, adding, "Nazir Chohan also played a vital role in this regard."

Earlier, a sessions court granted bail to Chohan in a cybercrime case after Prime Minister Imran's adviser on interior and accountability, Shahzad Akbar, pardoned him after an apology was tendered.

The post-arrest bail petition was taken by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Rashid Phularwan. The court imposed a surety bond of Rs100,000 in return for the relief.