In a significant political development in Lahore, Ali Nawaz Awan, a formermember of the National Assembly, officially severed ties with the PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and aligned himself with the Istehkam-e-PakistanParty (IPP). The official transition was marked by a meeting between Awanand IPP leaders, including Patron-in-Chief Jahangir Tareen and PresidentAbdul Aleem Khan in Lahore.
This move comes in the wake of a series of events, including PTI’s initialclaim, posted on X, that Awan was abducted from the Battal area of Mansehradistrict in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It was further reported that Awan had beenapprehended in Battal and subsequently handed over to Islamabad police.
In response to Awan’s decision to join the IPP, the PTI shared an oldervideo of him taking an oath, insinuating that any subsequent statements oractions were made under pressure. Adding to the political tension, the PTIcalled off its workers’ convention, citing denial of permission for theevent.
This decision was made despite a clear order from the Lahore High Court(LHC). Senior PTI Vice President for Central Punjab, Akbar Khan Bari,shared that the party had initially sought permission from the districtadministration on October 31. However, the Lahore deputy commissioner didnot entertain the request, leading the party to approach the LHC.
Despite an initial agreement in court, Bari claimed that the deputycommissioner later reneged on granting permission again. Allegations weremade that the deputy commissioner directed the party to approach the DIGPolice for permission, and when approached, the DIG reportedly refused topermit the convention, warning of arrests if it proceeded.
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This denial was seen by PTI as a violation of their constitutional rights,despite court orders. This political standoff follows a recent incidentwhere law enforcement detained 55 PTI workers for holding a convention inthe Kahna area of Lahore. The authorities allegedly used force, entered thesite, raided the office of the PTI leader responsible for organizing theevent, and damaged office property. The PTI strongly criticized the use offorce against a political assembly and the arrests of its workers.
Meanwhile, amidst the political turmoil, a local PTI leader, Malik ShahzebKhokhar, led a small motorcycle rally on College Road. The rally, mainlyattended by youth carrying party flags and chanting slogans in favor of theparty chairman, served as a local expression of support amidst the broaderpolitical developments.