In a major political shift, former Punjab education minister Dr Murad Raas has reportedly joined forces with estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen who is busy setting the stage for what seems like a strong political comeback.
According to the details, the two former leaders of the PTI met in Lahore on Wednesday at the residence of Jahangir Tareen, where Murad Raas announced that he was joining the former’s group.
Senior politician Abdul Aleem Khan and the prime minister’s special assistant Awn Chaudhry were also present in the meeting.
Pertinent to mention that following the May 9th violence, like many PTI members, Murad Raas also announced his resignation from PTI. In a tearful press conference, Murad Raas said no amount of condemnation was enough for what happened on May 9.
Read more: Murad Raas overcomes with emotion while announcing exit from PTI
Shortly after, he announced his own political party with former minister Hashim Dogar, who also quit PTI. The Dogar-Raas group, called the Democrats, had reportedly gained the strength of some 35 former MPAs and MNAs, including former provincial and federal ministers.
Speaking to the media, Murad Raas said that the Democrats group would continue acting as an opposition to the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). However, it seems that Murad Raas has other plans and would rather prefer the group led by Jahangir Khan Tareen.
تحریک انصاف کے سابق صوبائی وزیر اور ڈیموکریٹس گروپ کے رہنما مراد راس کی جہانگیر ترین سے ملاقات مراد راس نے جہانگیر ترین گروپ میں شمولیت کا اعلان کردیا pic.twitter.com/oVKmUN1vYj
— Abbas Shabbir (@Abbasshabbir72) June 7, 2023
Murad Raas left PTI earlier while crying in the presser, and have now joined the Tareen group.
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 7, 2023
This is hilarious. Democrats group dies within days. Murad Raas has zero value in any group. Not getting a ticket from PTI was indicative of what he was. He was one of the real rejects. pic.twitter.com/GN0BkW8o8N
— Faisal Sherjan (@fsherjan) June 7, 2023
Tomorrow, Jahangir Khan Tareen, a seasoned politician and former close aide to the PTI chief, is expected to announce the formation of his new political party.
The party will mainly consist of defectors from the former ruling party. Former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas has already declared his support for Tareen, stating their intention to move forward together.
Read more: Will move forward together with Jahangir Tareen, says Tanveer Ilyas
Tareen, who the Supreme Court has disqualified, will serve as the patron-in-chief of the party, while Abdul Aleem Khan will assume the role of party president. Awn Chaudhry, currently an advisor to the Prime Minister, will organize Tareen’s party.