LAHORE: As the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf continues to crumble under the pressure of May 9 violence, some party legislators have become active in forming a new entity, while others are taking refuge in joining the established parties like PPP, PML-Q or the group led by Jahangir Khan Tareen.
Several PTI stalwarts and legislators have left the party and are now looking for new pastures to give a boost to their politics. The exodus continues, with two more former Punjab MPAs — Chaudhry Raza Nasrullah Ghumman and Ayesha Iqbal — parting ways with the PTI on Sunday.
The party has branded these deserters as opportunists, but claimed that they were leaving under pressure.
The PML-N has closed its doors to PTI defectors, as it had already faced humiliation after embracing those who deserted Mr Khan’s party earlier and offering them party tickets for by-elections.
However, PPP, PML-Q and the Tareen group have opened their doors wide and are welcoming the legislators to join them for “safe politics” ahead.
But other smaller groups have popped up as well. Former ministers Hashim Dogar and Murad Raas, who have also distanced themselves from the PTI, have formed a new group called “Democrats”.
