Title: Tareen defends group, says formed in response to Punjab govt's retaliatory actions
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Estranged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Tareen said on Wednesday that the likeminded group was formed in response to Punjab government's retaliatory action against his group.
"Prime Minister had promised to deliver justice but then Punjab government began retaliatory activities against us and pressurising us."
His remarks came as he appeared before a court in Lahore in the money laundering case registered against him.
In this situation, he added, "We decided that we will raise our voice in the Punjab Assembly. The entire responsibility [of this development] lies on Punjab government."
"We have not formed a forward bloc; we have appointed a focal person to represent us in the assembly."
Read PTI govt is in ‘hands' of Jahangir Tareen: Ahsan Iqbal
Tareen urged the Punjab government to stop its "retaliatory activities" forthwith.
He further said, "My bail has been extended till May 31, and the FIA [Federal Investigation Authority] has been asked to complete its probe.
"We have submitted a complete money trail to the FIA, which is now verifying it with the banks," he added.
"I will reiterate that none of the three FIRs mention sugar [scandal]. The ongoing probe and the scandal have no connection," he maintained.
Refuting media reports, he said, "Let me make it clear that we are and will continue to be a part of the PTI."
"There are two issues, one is about Jahangir Tareen and the FIR, for which my allies are accompanying me. The other issue is about the Punjab government's actions."
"When they met the prime minister, he appointed Ali Zafar with the task to meet both sides and ensure justice by meeting both the FIA and us and determine the reality of the issue."
Read more FIA admits it wrongly accused Tareen of using fake accounts
Ali Zafar, he added, has held consultation and I hope that his report will soon be unveiled or sent directly to the premier, so that this matter can be taken forward.
Estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen addresses media.
A day before, on May 18, Tareen launched a group of like-minded lawmakers in the lower house of parliament as well as the Punjab Assembly at a dinner he hosted for his supporters, the Express News reported late on Tuesday.
According to the report, Raja Riaz will be the parliamentary leader of the Jahangir Tareen Like-minded group in the National Assembly, while Saeed Akbar Nawani will be the parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly.
Noman Langarial, one of the supporters of Tareen, who attended the dinner, said that 31 lawmakers attended the event. Member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) Salman Naeem said during the dinner that supporters of Tareen decided to formally launch their own group.Last month, talking to a delegation of some pro-Tareen lawmakers, Prime Minister Imran Khan had categorically said the FIA would not be influenced to give relief to the disgruntled leader in the sugar scam probe but he would personally look into the matter to avoid any political victimisation in the case.
Published Date: 19-May-2021
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