Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has dismissed former party colleague Jahangir Khan Tareen's Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) as a futile endeavour, claiming it to be "dead on arrival." Qureshi made these remarks during a media interaction on Saturday, where he drew an analogy between the newly launched IPP and a critically injured patient in an emergency ward. In an attempt to illustrate his point, the PTI vice chairman gestured towards nearby Services Hospital and stated, "When accident victims are rushed to the emergency room, doctors evaluate their condition and, if they are beyond recovery, pronounce them dead. Similarly, I can only say that this new party is dead on arrival." He said it remains to be seen whether the IPP will be able to make any inroads into the political landscape of Pakistan. “I believe the IPP has no chance of success and it will soon fade away,” he maintained. Read more: May 9 riots: Yasmin handed over to police on two-day physical remand In a critical evaluation of the recently announced federal budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, Qureshi expressed his disappointment, claiming that the budget fails to provide substantial relief to the common citizens. While acknowledging the government's decision to raise the salaries of government servants by 30% and 35%, he raised concerns about the financing of this increase and its potential impact on provincial budgets. “The government has announced increasing the federal Public Sector Development Programme by 106% but I ask Dar sahib from where will you arrange this amount? Will the federal government cut Punjab’s budget for development? I believe it is a joke with the nation,” he added. Qureshi termed Dar as an “economic hitman” who has pushed the country towards ‘sovereign default’. Read more: Nine FIRs lodged against Qureshi, Punjab Police informs LHC When asked about the possibility of upcoming elections, Qureshi responded by pointing out certain indicators that suggest elections may be held in the current year. Qureshi highlighted the allocation of Rs48 billion in the federal budget specifically earmarked for general elections in the country as a significant factor contributing to this perception. “According to the Constitution, the current assembly is set to complete its constitutional term on August 12 and if we want to run by the Constitution than the government has to hold elections,” he added. Responding to another question, he said the PTI is a federal party which has voters in every nook and corner of the country. “Every political personality has all rights to make decision as per his will, however, the PTI has a bright future ahead,” he underscored. Qureshi's comments come at a time when the PTI is facing a number of challenges. The party has been hit by a series of defections, including that of Jahangir Tareen, who was once one of its most powerful leaders. The party is also facing a number of legal challenges, including a case against its chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, on charges of inciting violence. A couple of days ago, once a close confidant of Imran Khan, Jahangir Khan Tareen, formally launched his new political party, along with 100 PTI defectors, with the promise to work for economic and social reforms in the country. At the launch ceremony, Tareen and other leaders, criticised the PTI and condemned the May 9 violence that saw arson and vandal attacks on the government buildings, including the sensitive military installations and the monuments of the martyrs. “We have come today to lay the foundation of a new party – Istehkam Pakistan Party,” Tareen made the formal announcement of his party. “Today, we promise that we will play our role at the forefront to rid Pakistan of this current quagmire,” he said “Our party will be the party of the common man. We will struggle to fulfil the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam and the dreams of Allama Iqbal,” he added. “Pakistan, today, needs a leadership that ends political and social divisions and promote love instead of hate.” The senior politician announced that the party would unveil its reforms agenda soon. "Through our voters' mandate, we will try to introduce political, social and economic reforms," he said.
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