Fawad Chaudhry, a former leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has expressed his hope for a return to the party while warning that any deal with the establishment would have dire consequences for the PTI, potentially worse than the fate of the PML-N and PPP.
Speaking on the program “News Insight with Amir Zia” on Aaj News, Chaudhry stated that he had previously refrained from criticizing the PTI leadership and intended to continue doing so, but felt compelled to respond to recent statements.
He criticized the leadership’s handling of the situation following the May 9th protests, arguing that the leadership in Punjab and Karachi faced a level of brutality and fascism not experienced by the leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Chaudhry maintained that the decision regarding his return to the PTI would be made by Imran Khan upon his release. He expressed concern about the current strategy, believing it would significantly delay Khan’s release.
He emphasized the importance of timing in politics, lamenting missed opportunities, particularly on February 9th when the elections were allegedly rigged. He argued that a nationwide protest should have been organized then, and that the subsequent exposure of the rigging through the “Liaquat Letter” should have been met with immediate calls for protests.
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Chaudhry highlighted the need for a united opposition, warning against engaging with the establishment without a strong alliance. He argued that such an alliance would provide the necessary leverage in negotiations, ensuring that the government cannot simply dismiss their demands.
He proposed a coalition of the PML-N, PPP, JUI-F, PTI, GDA, and Jamaat-e-Islami, noting that this alliance would represent the majority of the population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and possess significant street power. This, he believes, would force the government and establishment to engage in dialogue.
Chaudhry asserted that any deal with the establishment would be detrimental to the PTI, potentially worse than the outcomes faced by the PML-N and PPP. He believes that the public sentiment is strongly anti-establishment and that any perception of the PTI engaging in such a deal would lead to its downfall.
He criticized the decision to sever ties with the establishment and the military, advocating for mending the relationship. He specifically called for an apology regarding the contempt case against the judiciary and direct negotiations with Imran Khan.
Chaudhry maintained that the PTI had been correct in demanding the removal of former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, echoing the military’s stance on the matter. He blamed General Bajwa for pushing for the PTI to accept his first extension and then demanding the Sharif brothers accept the second, claiming that Khan had no intention of confronting him. He argued that Bajwa’s actions were driven by personal ambition and ultimately led to the current situation.
Chaudhry expressed his commitment to supporting Imran Khan, regardless of his own return to the PTI, arguing that Khan’s defeat would have detrimental consequences for the Pakistani people.
