Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry has clarified that he was not joining the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf after meeting jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan.

“I did not speak about the party. We are with Khan Sb. Whether the party is there or not, we want him to win, we will see then,” he said while appearing on Rubaroo which was aired on Aaj News on Friday.

Chaudhry was on the show a day after he met with the PTI founder in Adiala Jail on Thursday. In his tweet, he claimed that Khan warmly welcomed him. It was his first meeting with his former party leader after the February 8 general elections.

Several former PTI leaders were in the jail to appear before court in a May 9 case.

He did not confirm whether he would get any role in the party as earlier in the day sources said that he was likely to get a role in the party after recent political developments.

When asked, Chaudhry said that the jailed former PM has given “clear policy” to decide “case to case” matters relating to those who have not harmed the party after leaving it in compulsion and those who harmed the party no matter what.

He laughed at Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid’s claim that Khan “kissed him on his head” after meeting him. But he added that the former railways minister did give suggestions to Khan.

In response to a query, he said there were many aspects of civil disobedience and advised the government to take the initiative and stop arresting PTI supporters.

How is Khan?

While speaking about his meeting, Chaudhry claimed that Khan was in his “2018-19 fitness”. He claimed that he was suffering from mental torture.

“He [Khan] told me that last month, the jail administration closed me in a cell where there was no light for five days. Also, TV and newspapers were not available,” he said and claimed that the incarcerated leader has evolved himself. “His religious belief overrides all other ideas.”

Chaudhry added that the PTI founder has ordered Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub to take control of all political decision-making power. Ayub would also lead the five-member negotiating committee.

“The important decision is to approach other opposition to move forward for a grand opposition alliance, including JUI, JI, and GDA.”

The former information minister claimed that he continued to play a role in the party that would not be explicit. When asked whether he is joining the party, he said: “What’s so hurry? Let’s see what happens next.”

He went on to add that those YouTubers and journalists who were speaking against the army from outside the country were not part of the PTI.

“The PTI should strive to not be part of any campaign which weakens our institution,” Chaudhry said and alleged that some people were hurt.

“I am a strong critique of the army’s political interventions. I think the establishment’s political role should be rethought as it is causing destruction. But we should respect the army’s professional role.”

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According to Chaudhry, there were several groups within the PTI because the “real party leaders like him” were not associated with the party. He believes divisions within the party have no impact as people vote for Khan.

He added that former first lady Bushra Bibi’s decision to come out for Khan’s release was her right as only families support family members in such situations.

The former information minister added that the government should also form a committee to cool down the “political temperature”.