KARACHI: Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) member and controversial TV anchor Dr Aamir Liaquat Hussain has dropped plan to join Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
On the other hand, sources suggested on Wednesday the party dropped its interest in the controversial personality after a meeting, where the party leadership was shown some of Liaquat’s past statements against PTI chief Imran Khan and the party itself. Moreover, the party sensed a strong disapproval within the public of him joining the party after reports surfaced initially on Tuesday, which also contributed to the party’s decision.
A formal announcement had to be made at a press conference on Wednesday by PTI chief Imran Khan. However, he skipped the presser.
News of Hussain joining Imran Khan’s party started making rounds after PTI leader Faisal Javed Khan took to Twitter on Tuesday evening, saying, “Dr Aamir Liaquat to announce joining PTI at a press conference on October 25 in Karachi.”
The controversial TV host and former MQM leader had remained silent on joining PTI, despite being active on Twitter.
Speaking to a private TV channel, PTI’s Imran Ismail had acknowledged that Hussain had approached the party.
Commenting on whether PTI would welcome Hussain in the party, Ismail had said that “he has a following, there is an advantage. He would be useful for any party and will be useful in the election”.
“If he joins [PTI], he needs to adhere to the party lines. If he does join — and I’m not confirming that he is — and if he crosses a line, we will tell him to hold his horses.”
The TV personality had parted ways with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) after a brief detention at Rangers headquarters in August last year.
He was detained, along with nine other MQM leaders, after party workers attacked media houses following Altaf Hussain’s ‘anti-Pakistan’ speech.
Speaking to the media the following day, Aamir said he was fed up with the party and the way it functioned and also announced that he was leaving politics for good.
He was also previously affiliated with the party, and had been expelled from MQM in 2008 for violating party policy.
It also pertinent to mention that he came to fore once again when the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned him from appearing on national television for ‘preaching hate’, a decision that was challenged by the Sindh High Court (SHC) but later upheld by the apex court of the country.
