PTI to suffer the same fate as MQM, predicts Vawda

Former PTI leader calls for trials of all those involved in violent protests following Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9

KARACHI:

Former federal minister Faisal Vawda has drawn a stark parallel between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), hinting that the former ruling party may be headed towards a similar fate.

Speaking to the media in Karachi on Wednesday, Vawda took a jibe at his former political party, saying PTI is going to be the next MQM, a Karachi-based party which split into two factions in 2016 following party founder Altaf Hussain's incendiary speeches against the military establishment.

“Unfortunately, PTI is on its way to becoming the new MQM. In fact, it is already there. The whole episode of (MQM being split into) MQM-Pakistan and MQM-London, these snakes have already brought Imran Khan and his politics to that point,” former PTI leader Vawda said at the press conference.

“You and all of us had raised our voices against the violence perpetrated by the MQM in this city. But then we put all the blame on MQM-London saying MQM-Pakistan is not responsible. You are watching the same drama unfold again,” he said.

کچھ دیر میں آج سے کیڑے اور سانپ پہلے 9 مئی کا شرمناک واقعہ کروانے کے پر بعد مذمتی بیان دیں گے، دوسرے فیز میں پارٹی سے لاتعلقی اور ملبہ دوسرے پر ڈال دیں گے، پہلےبھی کہا کہ یہ عمران خان کو بند گلی میں لے آئیں گے اور اب اس بند گلی میں آ چکے ہیں جس سے اللہ نکال سکتا ہے بندہ نہیں۔

— Faisal Vawda (@FaisalVawdaPTI) May 17, 2023

Calling several PTI leaders “self-interested, shameless snakes”, he predicted that in the first step, some PTI leaders will condemn the May 9 mayhem and disassociate themselves from involvement in the acts of vandalism.

“In the second step, the PTI leaders will divide and hurl allegations at each other," he added.

Also read Some PTI leaders in contact with 'foreign agencies', claims Vawda

"What I said is coming true. This is the time to sympathise with the children who went astray and became part of these riots," said the former minister.

“It's time to think whether to save the political party or the country," said the former PTI leader, called for trials of all those involved in the violent protests that took place across the country following Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9.

The former minister’s comments follow the resignations of four senior leaders lawmakers of the former ruling party, which was ousted from power in April last year through a parliamentary vote of no-confidence against then-Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Vawda parted ways with the party in October last year after the PTI chairman terminated his basic membership following a contentious press conference loaded with claims deemed to be “against party policies and guidelines”.

Last week, Vawda, who still claims that he is an Imran Khan loyalist and close associate of the PTI chief, accused some party leaders of being in contact with "foreign agencies" with the aim of becoming prime minister after removing the party chairman from the political scene.

Shortly after the violence that erupted across the country on May 9 following the PTI chief’s arrest in Islamabad, Vawda urged supporters to remain calm and to strengthen Imran Khan's position, stating that those calling for action are misleading the public and causing destruction to the party.

Read more Three more PTI leaders jump ship

Vawda said that India is benefiting greatly from the situation, adding that the neighbouring country's government should know that Pakistanis are united when it comes to national security.

The former PTI leader called for the party to avoid falling into the hands of conspirators and emphasised that Imran Khan himself is not involved in any foreign agenda.

According to Vawda, some individuals within the party are "playing games" for personal gain and would soon be exposed.