Islamabad, 16 October, 2023(GNP): Prominent former PTI leader and former minister, Farrukh Habib, who had been missing since his arrest in Gwadar last month, made a significant public appearance during a press conference on Monday evening.
During the conference, he formally announced his decision to severe ties with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Imran Khan.
Mr. Habib explained that his disconnect from his family for a period of approximately three weeks was due to the unfolding events following the unfortunate incident of May 9, which included the violent riots that occurred in the aftermath of Imran Khan’s arrest in Islamabad.
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The press conference saw Mr. Habib joined by leaders of the newly formed Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP), under the leadership of Jahangir Khan Tarin. The IPP has become the political destination for a considerable number of PTI dissidents.
In his address, Mr. Habib criticized Imran Khan for what he described as the construction of a political narrative for personal political gain. He expressed his lack of awareness regarding Khan’s acceptance of watches from the Toshakhana depository and being kept uninformed about various matters.
Additionally, Mr. Habib questioned the moral integrity of PTI’s leadership, raised concerns about the promotion of violent politics, and accused Imran Khan of targeting institutions. He made reference to an incident outside Khan’s Zaman Park residence.
Addressing the youth, Mr. Habib encouraged a thoughtful consideration of the facts without advocating support for any specific political party. He spoke of PTI as his political birth but lamented the deviation from its initial vision under Khan’s leadership, naming specific individuals associated with this shift.
He also highlighted the incarceration of individuals with no prior criminal records and underscored that his decision to part ways with PTI was driven by a commitment to the greater national interest.
Mr. Habib concluded the press conference by formally announcing his association with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, led by Jahangir Khan Tarin. He commended Tarin as a reformist leader and expressed his readiness to work diligently within the IPP, emphasizing the ultimate goal of service to Pakistan.
