Zain Qureshi says he went into hiding on father's advice

A video statement from Zain Qureshi, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA, has emerged regarding the controversial 26th constitutional amendment.

In his video, Qureshi revealed that he chose to go into hiding at the behest of his father, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who urged him to oppose the amendment.

Zain Qureshi claimed that there is misleading propaganda against him regarding his support for the amendment. He stated, "I haven’t even been near the National Assembly, let alone attended any sessions." He further declared, "If it can be proven that I met with any government official, I will leave politics."

Yesterday, Zain Qureshi had gone missing, his sister Mehr Bano Qureshi confirmed, Express News reported.

Mehr Bano Qureshi stated that the family lost contact with him on October 16. The family is concerned for his safety, fearing he may have been abducted.

In a statement, Mehr Bano Qureshi expressed deep concern, saying, "Our family hasn’t been in touch with Zain since the morning of October 16. We are praying for his safety and hope he is in hiding as per the party’s policy, but I fear he has been kidnapped."

Mehr Bano added that their family has been facing intimidation, authoritarian pressure, and abuse for more than a year, aiming to break their principles and beliefs.

She also noted that, despite the challenges, her father, Shah Mahmood Quershi, has stood firm and continues to make sacrifices for the cause. She emphasised that they remain committed to their leader, Imran Khan.

Last week, Mahnum Kabir, the wife of Zain Qureshi, safely returned home, just hours after her sister-in-law Meher Bano Qureshi had claimed on social media platform X that masked men had abducted her.

Earlier, Meher Bano had posted that Mahnum was forcefully taken by masked men near their home. She described how multiple cars had blocked Mahnum vehicle and taken her away.

Meher Bano also stated, “Despite a year and a half of threats, they haven’t managed to break us, and now they’ve stooped to using these low tactics."

She added, "Our family's faith in Allah remains unwavering. He will guide us and Pakistan through this ordeal of fascism."