Imran a ‘different man’ in office: Tareen

IPP chairman says he had high hopes for deposed premier who couldn’t meet expectations

Jahangir Khan Tareen, the chairman of the newly-formed Ishtehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), has once again taken aim at his former leader Imran Khan, accusing him of turning into a “different man” altogether from the moment he assumed power.

Tareen said that he had high hopes for a leader who advocated for the vision of a "Naya Pakistan" (new Pakistan) but lamented that these aspirations remained unfulfilled.

Speaking at an inauguration of the party divisional secretariat office in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, he highlighted that despite the injustices he faced during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's tenure, he chose to refrain from delving into these matters and instead chose to monitor the ongoing developments.

“I have achieved a lot for myself, and now I want to do something for the country,” he added.

He pledged to create a new Pakistan where justice prevails, employment opportunities are abundant, and the leadership is honest. Tareen commended the enthusiasm of the people present during the ceremony and stated that this was just the beginning.

Tareen expressed that while he had high hopes for Imran Khan, the expectations were not met when he assumed the office of the prime minister. “The individual who sat on the prime minister's chair on the first day was not the same person,” he said and added that sending Aleem Khan to jail was a grave injustice.

IPP President Aleem Khan, speaking on the occasion, claimed that under the PTI government, deputy commissioners were appointed for Rs30 million while commissioners for Rs50 million in bribes.

“PTI's merit was Usman Buzdar who couldn't even read Urdu, English, or Punjabi. When I raised the issue of corruption, Farah Gogi was appointed. I was sent to prison for 100 days during the tenure of my own party,” he added.

Aleem Khan pointed out that he had been sent to prison for 100 days during his party's tenure, which he found disheartening. He also shared the story of Aamir Kiyani, a founding member of the party, who had dedicated 26 years of his life to the PTI.

Despite opportunities to join other parties and become a minister, Kiyani remained loyal to the PTI but, according to Aleem Khan, faced humiliation within the party.