Senior politician Jahangir Khan Tareen announced the formation of a new political party — Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party — during the party’s first joint press conference in Islamabad on Thursday.
He was flanked by former PTI leaders Imran Ismail, Aleem Khan and Ali Zaidi, among others during the press conference.
A day earlier, nearly 100 former PTI members of the national and provincial assemblies joined the new party, expressing confidence in Tareen’s leadership.
“Today, we’re announcing formation of Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party. Under one platform, we’re together and will try to steer Pakistan out of current crises,” Tareen said.
“Today, our nation needs hope the most so this country could achieve its true potential. No one can be allowed to attack state institutions in shape of mobs. It is not just about attacking institutions but most importantly people are losing hope.”
“We have to make a Pakistan where establishment, judiciary, political forces and all stakeholders are on the same page. We all want to take Pakistan towards prosperity,” he added.
“Today, we need to change how politics is conducted in our country. It needs a new direction. We will make joint efforts to achieve that.”
He emphasised that to take Pakistan out of economic turmoil, focus has to be shifted towards increasing exports and incentivising the IT sector.
“I am not conventional politician, but I entered the political arena with a delayed yet genuine purpose. I joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf with the belief that we would strive to fulfil Pakistan’s needs,” he added.
The senior politician said that he strived to make PTI stronger and worked day and night for the struggle of the former ruling party. “Details would come out in coming days which would reveal my contribution to make PTI strong,” he added.
Tareen said that despite his best of efforts, the dream of PTI could not materialise and people started becoming disheartened.
“PTI should have focused on strengthening the economy and improving international relations, but unfortunately, it could not be achieved. We have always been against attacking political opponents but PTI resorted to assaulting military installations and caused harm to the memorials of martyrs. If this aggression is not controlled, it will intrude into homes and intimidate everyone.”
The former PTI leader said that such behaviour cannot be tolerated. “I pledge to play my part in extricating Pakistan from this quagmire. Pakistan needs leadership that can eradicate political and social divisions, foster love instead of hatred, instil hope in the nation, and rescue them from despair,” he added.
He emphasised that the democratic system can only be strengthened when both the government and opposition fulfil their constitutional roles. “In the days to come, our caravan will welcome more influential individuals who hold significant political influence in their respective constituencies.”
He said that Istehkam-e-Pakistan will be an organisation for the common people of the country. “We will strive to fulfil the visions of our founding fathers – Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. We will put in efforts to turn their dreams into reality,” he further said.
Speaking on the occasion, Aleem Khan said that after May 9, the situation had become so chaotic that every patriotic Pakistani was worried. However, he added that Tareen contacted them, and we decided to form a new party.
He said that Tareen helped them to gather under one platform and showed a big heart, saying that it is his political wisdom that all could become united once again.
“We all spent last 11-12 years at a single platform. We were part of that struggle together. We all spent years of our life for it. We spent all our energies to achieve what was shown to us. But it could not be achieved,” he added.
Under prevailing circumstances, he said that Pakistan is faced with multiple challenges but we have to steer it out of this mess and make it a prosperous country. “Chaos and rioting is taking Pakistan back. We have to get rid of it.”
Aleem mentioned that they will work together under the leadership of Tareen for the stability and prosperity of Pakistan, so the next generations could be provided a secure future.
