Former federal minister Humayun Akhtar Khan on Saturday joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and was appointed its senior vice president -- over six months after he parted ways with the PTI, citing his dissatisfaction with the handling of the aftermath of the May 9 riots as the primary reason for his departure.
Humayun had quit the PTI in June, joining a long list of leaders who had announced parting ways with the former ruling party following the May 9 vandalism and violent protests across the country -- hours after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested its former chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
Addressing a news conference alongside IPP founder Jahangir Tareen and its senior leader Aleem Khan in Lahore, Humayun expressed his concern about the events that unfolded on May 9 and called for the accountability of those responsible for them.
He emphasised that those found guilty in connection with the violence and vandalism must be punished by the courts, while the innocent should be released.
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The former federal minister said the IPP leadership had played an important role in the PTI’s creation and winning the 2018 elections when the country’s youth were looking towards the latter. However, he voiced his disappointment, saying that the PTI had failed to live up to the expectations of the country's frustrated youth.
Humayun credited the IPP leadership for its contributions to the PTI’s early development. He added that he would decide from which constituency to contest the next general elections after consultation with the IPP leaders. “I am confident that the IPP can improve the conditions of the country and the poor,” he continued.
Humayun maintained that the IPP leadership was aware of the challenges being faced by the country and also knew how to address them. Speaking on the occasion, Tareen, once a close aide of Imran, announced that Humayun had been appointed a senior vice president of the IPP.
He added that the PTI's popularity had indeed declined following the May 9 events. Commenting on the recent decision of the Supreme Court to suspend the Lahore High Court's order against the appointment of election officers from the executive, Tareen said his party welcomed the move.
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Calling for the next general elections to be held on February 8, Tareen underscored the urgency of political stability in the country.
IPP leader Aleem welcomed Humayun into the party’s fold. He added that the inclusion of Humayun in the IPP would prove to be a great source of strength for the party as well as the country.
Speaking on the ongoing negotiations with the PML-N, Aleem clarified that no alliance had been formed with the party yet. He assured the nation that the IPP respected all individuals and affirmed its commitment to avoid engaging in politics that exploited the legacy of the deceased, apparently taking a jibe at the PPP.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, another IPP leader, commented on the dynamic nature of alliances and rivalries in politics.
She emphasised the need to prioritise people's rights when discussing unity.
The IPP, founded by Tareen earlier this year, has become the preferred party for PTI defectors. Prominent among them are Aleem, Dr Firdous, Imran Ismail, Ali Zaidi, Farrukh Habib, Amir Mehmood Kayani, Andleeb Abbas, Fayyazul Hasan Chohan, and Ali Nawaz Awan.
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