Fawad Chaudhry, other former PTI stalwarts to join PTI ‘again’: sources

ISLAMABAD: Former PTI bigwig Fawad Chaudhry, who was recently released on bail from Adiala Jail, is expected to rejoin Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in a major political turnover after February 8 elections.

Sources privy to the development told Daily Ausaf that Fawad Chaudhry is all set to be re-inducted in the party, which he left post May 9, next week following a final meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala jail.

Senior anchorperson Alina Shigri quoting sources told Daily Ausaf that the decision of Fawad Chaudhry to PTI comes on the heels of the PTI Punjab chapter’s abysmal performance and its conspicuous absence from the political scene. Imran Khan needed someone to fill the void and he has chosen former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry.

Furthermore, sources within the party said that the matter is settled and only the announcement remains which is expected to come next week. Fawad Chaudhry, who joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party after he jumped Imran Khan’s ship, can be seen supporting and praising PTI on social media showing his political interest in PTI.

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In his latest tweet on PTI’s 28th Foundation Day, he said, “Today, after twenty-eight years, Imran Khan and Tehreek-e-Insaf have the same status in Pakistan as the All India Muslim League had in 1946 for the Muslims of India. The founder and leader of Imran Khan is today imprisoned for the crime of raising his voice for the rights of the people, whose workers and leadership are victims of state oppression.”

Apart from Fawad Chaudhry, many other former PTI leaders started weighing their plans to return to Imran Khan’s party. Among those leaders are Ali Zaidi and Imran Ismail who wants to return to PTI. Ali Zaidi has been told that only the founding chairman can approve the withdrawal, sources said.

Former PTI stalwarts from Sindh Ali Zaidi and Imran Ismail are keen to meet the former PM Imran Khan in jail for their approval of turn, sources added.

According to the sources, Khan’s attitude towards Usman Dar, Ali Nawaz Awan, Sadaqat Abbasi, and Fawad Chaudhury is positive as they are expected to make a return.

However, Fawad Chaudhury’s possible return worries PTI’s new senior PTI leaders. PTI KP and Punjab chapters have differences over the turn of PTI’s former big names who left the party when it was cornered after the May 9 mayhem. PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leaders are lamenting over Aslam Iqbal and Hammad Azhar, sources added.