LAHORE: In cryptic reference to “Forced divorces”, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan responded to ongoing exodus of leaders from party, with total now reaching 24 since violent arson incidents of May 9.

“We had all heard about forced marriages in Pakistan, but for PTI, new phenomenon has emerged, forced divorces. Also wondering where all human rights organisations in country disappeared have,” Imran Khan said in tweet from his official account. Comment comes as fallout from tragic incidents of May 9 continue to reverberate through party. As many as 24 PTI leaders have now publicly parted ways with party, situation some political analysts are attributing to pressure from ‘external forces.’

Among notable departures are senior PTI leader and former Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari and Fayyazul Hasan Chohan both of whom announced their disassociation from PTI.

Imran raised questions about situation’s implications for human rights within country, subtly questioning sudden absence of human rights organszations during these developments.

Imran Khan said that country is being governed by law of jungle while pinning hopes on judiciary. Speaking informally to journalists at an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here, Imran said, “People are not leaving party on their own, they are being forced to do so and that too at gunpoint”. However, he maintained he was not bothered by several key PTI leaders who have in recent days called it quits, saying, “Parties never die down like that they are weeded out like [ruling coalition] PDM is eroding, t way their vote bank is depleting.” “I am only worried about workers and especially women,” he added.  PTI Chief made these remarks ahead of his hearing at ATC where judge Raja Jawad Abbas was hearing his petition for bail in eight different cases.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 24 2023

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