In a recent development, Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has taken the decision to cancel the basic membership of all party leaders and office-bearers who had recently quit the party. This decision comes in the wake of several prominent members leaving PTI, including senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry, former federal ministers Shireen Mazari, Aamer Mehmood Kiani, and former adviser to the Prime Minister, Malik Amin Aslam.
It remains uncertain whether the PTI chief has also revoked the membership of Asad Umar, who resigned as secretary general and a member of the core committee but did not entirely quit the party. Additionally, Imran Khan has ordered the removal of defectors who were part of PTI's core committee. They will be removed from PTI's WhatsApp groups, and the party's social media accounts will be updated to reflect the changes and remove references to the defectors.
In a separate statement, Imran Khan expressed that his party's leaders and workers were facing what he called "the full force of state terror." This statement was issued on the anniversary of the clash between PTI workers and the police during a long march towards Islamabad, which took place on May 25, 2022. Imran Khan claimed that these events marked the beginning of a descent into fascism and accused the state of using violence and suppression against PTI's leadership and supporters.
Imran Khan pointed out that while he was in power, the opposition parties organized three long marches that were allowed without hindrance by his government. However, when PTI initiated its march, they faced a crackdown, with PTI office-bearers and workers being kidnapped, tear gas and rubber bullets used against protesters, and police brutality witnessed by those who reached Islamabad.
Imran Khan alleged that his party and democracy itself were under attack, with over 10,000 PTI workers and supporters in jail, including senior leaders who were reportedly facing custodial torture. He claimed that the May 9 violence was condemned by the entire PTI leadership, but the state was exploiting it as a pretext to dismantle his party. He further criticized the state's actions, including "forced divorces" and prosecuting PTI members in military courts.
Imran Khan emphasized that the attempt to subjugate PTI would fail, as today's youth is politically aware and obtains information through social media despite the increasing restrictions on traditional media. He warned those supporting these measures that they were not just dismantling PTI but also undermining democracy and freedom.
The list of PTI defectors includes numerous legislators and ticket-holders, such as Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Malik Amin Aslam, and many others from various provinces. Imran Khan's decision to cancel their memberships reflects the party's response to recent resignations and highlights the challenges it faces in maintaining unity and cohesion.
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