In a show of support, Punjab lawmakers from the ruling PTI accompanied sugar baron Jahangir Tareen to court on Wednesday where he and his son had to appear for an extension in their interim bail in cases filed by the Federal Investigation Agency.
Lala Tahir Randhawa, Raja Riaz, Noman Langrial, Salman Naeem, Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, Khurram Leghari and Abdul Hai Dasti showed up to support Tareen at his hearing.
Speaking to the media, PTI MNA Raja Riaz said that PM Imran would not have been successful in winning the vote of confidence from parliament in March without Tareen.
“Tareen played the biggest part in obtaining the vote of confidence. Perhaps the prime minister would not have been successful if Tareen had not played his part.” He said that Tareen had played a part in forming the Punjab and federal government. “Now people close to the prime minister are hatching conspiracies against Tareen and exacting revenge.”
He stated that all the MPAs and MNAs that had gathered for today’s hearing were united in denouncing the “injustice” against Tareen. “We think the prime minister should take action against this.”
Meanwhile, Tareen denied that he was parting ways with the party and questioned why his “loyalty is being tested”.
“I have given my blood and sweat [for the PTI]. Do you think I can separate from the party? Absolutely not.” He said he was and will continue to remain a part of the PTI and also denied reports of a future meeting with PPP Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
