Husnain Bahadur Dreshak, Punjab’s livestock minister and a supporter of estranged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen, has lashed out at PTI Senator Faisal Vawda after Vawda mocked his camp, saying that only a police SHO is enough to handle the supporters of Tareen that includes ministers and lawmakers.
Earlier this week, Tareen had announced the formation of a “like-minded” group of over 30 lawmakers after a dinner at his residence. The group comes amid a probe against Tareen over alleged manipulation of the sugar industry and corporate fraud.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has also the met recently after repeated demands assuring that no “injustice will be done”. He has appointed Senator Ali Zafar to submit a report on the issue. A Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) official in charge of the case against Tareen was also changed ahead of the meeting.
But it seems the party’s losing Tareen — who commands dozens-strong group of lawmaker and can topple the government by parting ways with the PTI along with his supporters.
The announcement of the formal group has amplified these concerns. In response to Tareen, the ministers and other PTI leaders also started #IStandWithImranKhan trend on Twitter.
Faisal Vawda’s response to the Tareen camp was rather curt. In a TV show on ARY News, Vawda had downplayed the significance of pro-Tareen lawmakers who support Tareen, saying they can be handled by a station house officer (SHO) alone.
The Tareen group took exception to the taunt and hit back at Vawda during a press conference. MPA Dreshak said Vawda himself is a “threat” to Imran Khan and that he should be “beaten up with shoes”. He didn’t mince his words and termed Vawda a “petty person”. “I am surprised why hasn’t someone beaten up him [Vawda] with shoes,” he said as other leaders tried to calm him.
Speaking about concerns over the group, he said the Tareen group is not a threat to the government and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will remain the chief minister, adding that no one stays in power permanently.
