Sadaqat Ali Abbasi Exits PTI; Points Finger at Imran Khan’s Role in May 9 Controversies

Former parliamentarian Sadaqat Ali Abbasi has officially severed ties with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), relinquishing his role as the PTI’s North Punjab president. In a recent interview, Abbasi attributed his decision to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s role in the events of May 9, where PTI workers allegedly vandalized state properties. Emphasizing his concern over legal actions against him, Abbasi shared his apprehensions, stating numerous FIRs have been registered in his name.

This dramatic announcement came after Abbasi’s return from a month-long unexplained absence, his emotional homecoming circulating on social platforms. Furthermore, his exit follows the departure of several other PTI leaders, like Usman Dar and Fawad Chaudhry, all distancing themselves from the party after the controversial May 9 events.

Imran Khan’s “Anti-Establishment” Stance Under Scrutiny

Abbasi delved deeper into the root causes, highlighting what he believes to be a growing “anti-establishment narrative” propagated by Khan over the past year. According to Abbasi, this sentiment was echoed by other prominent figures within PTI, including Shireen Mazari and Shahbaz Gill, who occasionally made strong, concerning statements. Recalling a key meeting on May 4, Abbasi claims that Khan planned a rally near military installations in Rawalpindi to send a potent message against potential moves to arrest him.

As per Abbasi, this positioning against the establishment culminated in the events of May 9, an outcome of Khan’s aggressive narrative-building. On being probed about his whereabouts during his disappearance, Abbasi revealed he stayed in Gilgit Baltistan before returning to seek bail.