PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi Holds Second Meeting with Party Chief Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reportedly met with party chief Imran Khan once again, following their previous meeting which ended on a sour note.

This marks Qureshi’s second meeting with Imran Khan since his recent release. As a proponent of justice, the former foreign minister had suggested that his leader temporarily retreat, go abroad, or at least maintain silence if he did not wish to leave the country.

PTI has faced significant pressure from the state in light of the violent protests that took place on May 9. Party workers, in a state of rage, attacked military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commanders House and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, following Imran Khan’s arrest. The crackdown led to the arrest of numerous party workers and leaders, causing some to distance themselves from Imran Khan and leading to internal tensions and growing pressure on the party’s leader.

During their previous meeting, both individuals reportedly exchanged heated words, with Imran Khan expressing anger towards Qureshi, according to sources.

However, the two have met again to discuss efforts to secure the release of imprisoned workers. They also discussed the current political situation, as per sources.

Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing clampdown on PTI, former minister Ali Muhammad Khan was taken into custody for the fifth time after his release from Mardan Jail. He had been discharged from all the cases related to the May 9 incidents by an anti-terrorism court (ATC). However, he was apprehended by anti-corruption establishment (ACE) officials in relation to another case outside the ATC premises.

Qureshi himself had been arrested multiple times under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) but was eventually released on Wednesday.

According to a close friend of Qureshi in Multan, during their previous meeting, the PTI vice chairman had urged Imran Khan to allow him and others to resolve internal issues and promote reconciliation. Qureshi suggested that Imran Khan could reassume leadership once everything had been settled. He emphasized the need for wise decisions rather than succumbing to emotions during these challenging times.

Furthermore, Qureshi reportedly conveyed to Imran Khan that retired individuals who were misleading him would be of no assistance in the current circumstances.

These discussions resulted in an outburst of anger from Imran Khan towards Qureshi, who subsequently left Zaman Park, where the meeting took place.