Parvez Elahi joins PTI, likely to become party president

Parvez Elahi joins PTI, likely to become party president۔ Former Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Parvez Elahi on Tuesday joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) minutes after Chaudhry Shujaat terminated the party membership of the ex-Punjab chief minister and removed him from his post as provincial president as well.

The announcement — which came minutes after Elahi met PTI Chairman Imran Khan —  further deepens the political temperature in the country of the general elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The former Punjab chief executive has time and again proved his loyalty to Khan as he vowed to stand by the disposed prime minister, who was removed from power in April last year when the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) initiated a no-confidence drive against the PTI chief.

“After lengthy discussions, Parvez Elahi and other leaders have finally decided to join PTI today,” PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said during a press conference alongside Elahi in Lahore after the ex-Punjab CM’s meeting with Khan.

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Fawad said that the entire party welcomes Elahi and his aides as they have now set on the path towards a “new Pakistan”. “Parvez Elahi has rendered sacrifices and stood by Imran Khan through thick and thin.”

Upon Elahi’s insistence, Fawad told journalists that the party has also decided to appoint the former PML-Q leader as PTI’s president and the senior leadership has also green-lighted the decision.

“I have supported Imran Khan during difficult times and proved my loyalty through chief ministership,” Elahi — who lost the top office after dissolving the assembly last month — said.

Recalling the days when he dissolved the Punjab Assembly last month at the desire of the PTI chief, the former CM said that he would everything which in turn is beneficial for the country.