Tareen unfazed by polls delay

Influential Kasur political figures join IPP in major setback for PTI

LAHORE:

Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party Patron-in-Chief Jahangir Tareen Khan on Sunday said a delay of a mere couple of days in the upcoming general elections would not significantly affect the political landscape.

Tareen was speaking to the media accompanied by IPP President Aleem Khan and newly affiliated political figures from Kasur with the party.

"We warmly welcome our friends from Kasur into the IPP fold, and together, we aim to serve the nation," Tareen said, expressing contentment over the party's expanding ranks.

Aleem emphasised the continuous growth of the IPP's political influence, with new members joining the party every week.

He also took the opportunity to criticise PTI chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan, attributing his “downfall” to his “arrogance”.

The PTI chief was disqualified and arrested in the Toshakhana (gift repository) case a day earlier after a court in Islamabad sentenced him to three years in prison while imposing on him a fine of Rs100,000 for making false declarations about his assets to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The IPP president claimed that the corruption exposed was merely the tip of the iceberg.

He added that comprehensive evidence would surface after the arrest of former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar and Farah Gogi.

"We are prepared to present the evidence of their corruption before any forum," Aleem maintained.

During the event, former PTI MNA Sardar Talib Hassan Nakai, representing other colleagues, expressed his jubilation over joining the IPP.

The exit of the influential Nakai family is a major setback for the PTI in the Kasur region, as they were considered a major support base for the party.

Speaking on the occasion, Nakai stressed the party's commitment to uplifting the conditions of the underprivileged people and farmers, as well as its dedication to improving Pakistan's future.

Other leaders, who joined the IPP, included former PTI MPA Pir Mukhtar Ahmad; former ticket holders Rana Aslam and Rao Shahid; and former PTI Kasur district general secretary Ali Javed Dogar.

As speculations loom over the potential delays in elections, the IPP leaders said they remained resolute, expressing their confidence in their mission to serve the country and bring about a positive change for the marginalised sections of the society.