Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: MEHMOOD QURESHI
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan is leaving for London next week for a 14-day stay, The Express Tribune has learnt.
It’ll be Imran’s first visit to any country after his party’s impressive performance in the May general elections.
A top PTI leader told The Express Tribune that Imran Khan will stay in London for at least two weeks.
Khan will also get a medical checkup due to ‘slow recovery’ from injuries sustained after he fell off a forklift during the election campaign in May this year, the PTI official said.
“He will spend the remaining time with his two sons Sulaiman and Qasim in the UK,” the party leader said, adding that his children may join Imran on his way back to Islamabad.
When contacted, PTI spokesperson Dr Shireen Mazari confirmed Imran Khan’s visit. “He is going on a personal visit [to UK] to see his children,” she said. However, she did not explain whether the visit was official or not.
It may be recalled that Imran Khan had indirectly blamed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain for the murder of PTI leader Zahra Hussain.
The London Metropolitan Police is already investigating Dr Imran Farooq’s case in which it has also questioned Altaf Hussain in London.
However, the MQM’s top leadership has categorically denied allegations and announced to file a defamation suit against PTI’s top leadership. MQM leader Farooq Sattar had demanded a judicial inquiry into Zahra Hussain’s murder.
“It is unfortunate that Imran Khan showed political immaturity and blamed MQM chief Altaf Hussain for the murder,” Farooq Sattar had said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (30)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
When his 14 days end. He did not start the countdown so far.
@GP65: His criticism of opponents is based on the fact that they use tax money for foreign trips and treatment. Nothing wrong if one uses their own legally earned mobey
Gosh you guys amaze me:
The guy has kids - come on - should he not see them - once in a while. I have kids in the US – I know what it means for the likes of us. I do it more than IK. Now don't hold it against him.
His fall was an extremely nasty one and he was ill handled to say the least – I am relieved that he is alive and healthy.
Come on with your innuendos – when are you guys going to grow up and mind your own business.
Cheers Now and try to sleep well !!!!!
People have been witnessing change in kpk as killing of innocent citizens has cross all limits. what Will he now answer to U.K. Based financiers about failure of his multi billion rupee campaign.
Only ten percent people voted for him, now everybody pouncing upon him. Is it a crime to go and spend some time with children? Every politician got interests in western countries, but pose as if they are patriots. Why Musharraf has put up his mother in Dubai, so that he can escape prosecution in her name. Why Zardari's children and assets are in UK.
@Pakistani: Please provide evidence of any financial investment IK has in UK, or evidence that he used Zakat money for these investments?
If you can't..then maybe you can apologise for either having your facts incorrect, or basically lying.
thanks!
@GP65: I don't think that has to do with a full blown treatment as such. He continues to wear the metallic brace and he mentioned in a yesterday's interview that he needs additional check-ups to ensure that he can take off the brace. It seems that it might be one of those check-ups that he will do in UK since that would overlap with his stay there. For the kind of injuries he has, 2 weeks is not much of a treatment time frame anyway.
So he is gone to london to see his sons,property and check financial investment which he have done by using zakat cash
Our great leaders from London M A Jinnah, Ch Rehmat Ali, Allama Iqbal, Imran khan, Altaf Bhai Agra wala, Malka ji, etc what else we want may be sharia from London too....
@ali: These people here who are criticizing Imran khan on going to the UK to see his sons is disgusting! This man has stayed away from his sons for the sake of Pakistan, he has given everything up for the people of Pakistan, Even though he is injured, in pain and can barely move he's working to fulfill his promise to his people. You people have the nerve and the audacity to criticize someone like that? Please tell me if you have seen a politician like him in the history of Pakistan that didn't go abroad for treatment even after such a dangerous surgery. It is comendable that he didn't go for treatment to London. He's just going for a check up while he's going to be London anyways. you may not like IK for your political biases and affiliations. But this man still deserves respect for all he has done.
@ali: so according to your logic, the PM should not take a holiday until all and every problem of Pakistan is resolved? Remember you said this when Mian Sahib next takes a holiday
Do you really think his performance was impressive in last election? The guy who claimed to bring PTI tsunami with his magic "90 days solution" to every problem Pakistan is facing a distant third in terms of total number of federal parliamentary seats. When did poor third started becoming an impressive position for the Kaptaan who never settled for anything but winning during his sporting heydays?
@ali: Shame on u & ur thinking, he's going for some Medical Check-up & also 2 meet his kids,,,not running towards JEDDAH
KPK province in trouble under his party govt and this person going to enjoy UK visit. shame on him.
Imran Khan what will Pervez Khattak do without you? Please don't go. Tussi na jao
@Donovan For Christs sake he is going to see him family for two weeks only not on self exile for 10 year. Give the guy a break!
He is probably going to record statement against a politician for his alleged involvement in murder of PTI top official in Karachi
If he is going on a personal visit, how can it be official? ET improve your understanding logic skills.
After suffering a horrific fall, it is natural that he wants to spend time with his sons. It is stupid on part of ET to make this a news
And of course some personal encounters with a few. Khan can hardly get on without his extra curricular activities.
@Muhammad Akram:
Why not?
Good luck with visiting your family and hope you spend lovely time with your gorgeous boys !
Imran Khan is a fine combination of eastern and estern values. he would probably be staying at his former in-laws, as he usually does, which is unheard of in Pakistani society.
This is something men in Pakistan should learn from imran Khan.
IK, have a safe journeyand a pleasnt family time.
After preaching to everyone how he'd rather seek medical care in Pakistan and would swelter in Pakistan with the rest of us, he himself is going to enjoy the medical facilities and luxurious facilities in London. Oh yeah and what happened about the 90 day plan for reforming KPK?
Why doesn't he call his sons to Pakistan.
@Ricky: Remember your words next time mian sahib goes to london to visit his son...and check on his financial investments.
It is too hot in Pakistan and it is also time to fulfill 90 day promises in KPK. Also have to stop or at least try to stop terrorist attacks in KPK almost every day. The best thing is not take any "heat" and enjoy the palace life in cool UK. One wishes that their family also had this same option to avoid heat and insecurity in Pakistan.
Have a great trip and get well soon CHAMP !!!
Please ET, Leave PTI now, don't poke your nose in every one's personal matters.. Focus on Real time journalism Now.
Is this a news?