Imran Khan says Qureshi to lead PTI in case of his disqualification

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi would lead the party in case of his disqualification by a court.

 “If I am disqualified, Shah Mehmood Qureshi will run the party,” Khan said Saturday in a meeting with journalists and lawyers at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, according to Geo News.

The statement comes as the former prime minister of Pakistan has been facing a slew of cases ranging from corruption to terrorism since being ousted from power in April last year.

On May 9, he was arrested in 190 million pounds Al-Qadir Trust case by Rangers personnel in compliance with National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrest warrants.

He was released around four days after Pakistan’s Supreme Court declared his arrest illegal.

Khan’s arrest on May 9 triggered a violent protests across Pakistan with supporters ransacking and torching defence and public installations across the country.

Commenting on the mass departure of leaders from his party over the May 9 vandalism, the PTI chief put up a brave face saying the situation is going to change soon.

“I will give a big surprise in the coming days,” he added.

Khan said some party leaders were leaving the party under compulsion while some had been exposed.

Calling the youth a major asset of his party, Khan said the party ticket was their right and added that PTI will win the next general elections despite desertions of the party leaders.

He also called for holding a referendum to gauge the popularity of his party among the masses.