Sardar Jahangir Khan Tareen launches ‘Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party’ comprising of PTI defectors

LAHORE, June 08 (SABAH): Sardar Jahangir Khan Tareen, who once used to be a close aide of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, has launched a new party, the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP).

Sardar Jahangir Khan Tareen made the announcement during a press conference in Lahore on Thursday. Seen alongside him were Abdul Aleem Khan and several PTI defectors, including former governor Sindh Imran Ismail, former information ministers Fawad Ahmed Chaudhry, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, former maritime affairs minister and PTI Sindh’s former president Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, former federal minister for health and former PTI secretary general Aamer Mehmood Kayani, former PM Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, Nawab Ishaq Khan Khaqwani, former information minister Punjab Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, Advisor to PM on Sports and Tourism Awn Chaudhry, SAPM Malik Noman Ahmed Khan Langrial, former federal minister Ghazi Ghulab Jamal, who recently left the party amid a state crackdown on it.

Jahangir Tareen said on the occasion that the country was witnessing “delicate times”. Elaborating on the need to form a new party, he said he had joined politics for just one purpose — to contribute to the country’s progress.

“During my long journey in politics, I got the opportunity to meet and work with several people. I learned a lot from this experience,” he said, adding that he was never a “traditional politician”.

He said he had joined the PTI as he was certain that through the party’s platform, “we will be able to implement all those reforms that Pakistan needed and still need”.

“And for this reason, we worked day and night to make the PTI a full-fledged political force. People you see sitting here today, all of them were a part of this struggle,” he added. “We infused the party with newfound passion and enthusiasm after the 2013 elections.”

Jahangir Tareen said “several facts” would surface in the coming days which would show “to what extent we went to make the party stable”.

“We ensure that PTI turns into such a political force that it does not just win whenever elections are held but it also is in a position to initiate reforms in the country,” he said. Jahangir Tareen said reforms were the PTI’s basic manifesto, “due to which we all had come together”. But, he added, “unfortunately … matter did go the way we expected and people were disheartened”.

He said the PTI’s manifesto was to improve the economy and relations with other countries and most importantly, ensure accountability. “There were the slogans on the basis of which the party was formed and people voted for the PTI,” he said, regretting that these objectives could not be achieved.

Jahangir Tareen said the events of May had changed the politics of Pakistan. “I am saying this from the bottom of my heart that if the miscreants and planners of May 9 are not brought to justice, attacks on houses of political rivals will also be considered acceptable. “And we will never let this happen,” he vowed.

Jahangir Tareen said May 9 vandalism was not just about a “mob attacking public properties. “This was setting an example of a mob attacking anyone’s house and harassing our families.”

No society could allow this, he asserted. “We cannot let this situation escalate further.” He added, “So we have gathered here today. We will collectively try to steer Pakistan … out of the quagmire. Our country needs this today. We will together heal the wounds inflicted on Pakistan.”

Jahangir Tareen said Pakistan presently needed a leadership that would end political and social divisions and promote unity and tolerance. This country “needs a leadership that can give this nation a narrative of hope”.

“At this time, what our nation needs the most is the hope that its situation will improve and it will reach a new height,” he said, adding that this was the reason the foundation of the new IPP party was being laid down today. “Our objective is very clear.” He said all those present alongside him wanted Pakistan to progress.

“We all realise, and agree, that our politics need a new direction. We also realise that our democratic system can only strengthen if the government and opposition both understand and abide by their constitutional responsibilities.”

He said more people would join the IPP in the coming days, “those who are respected in their constituencies”.

Jahangir Tareen also announced that his party’s “reforms agenda” would be revealed in the coming days. “We will try that through our voters’ mandate, we introduce political, social and economic reforms.”

Outlining his party’s objectives, he said they aimed to increase exports, improve the IT sector and strengthen the farmers.

“The purpose of this party is to represent the aspirations of the youth. We will also protect the rights of women and minorities … and become voice of the voiceless,” he vowed.

Prior to him, Abdul Aleem Khan said the need was felt after May 9 for those who had distanced themselves from politics to come together and it was then decided to form a new party. He credited Tareen, who he said would lead the IPP, for bringing them together on one platform. Abdul Aleem Khan also mentioned that they aimed to turn Pakistan into a country in which the people, Parliament, judiciary and establishment were on one page.

Jahangir Tareen only read the written statement and did not take any question of the journalists.