KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday said that he has been in touch with Aamir Liaquat Hussain and other “opinion makers”.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Khan, when asked about the former prominent Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) member, said, “I am in touch with Aamir Liaquat and met some other opinion makers yesterday.”
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 has remained silent on joining PTI, despite being active on Twitter.
Speaking to a private TV channel, PTI’s Imran Ismail acknowledged that Hussain has approached the party.
Commenting on whether PTI would welcome Hussain in the party, Ismail 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.”
Hussain, in August, 2016, had parted ways with MQM, saying at the time that he would be leaving politics. Prior to his announcement, Hussain was taken into custody from his office on II Chundrigar Road and later released by the Rangers after overnight detention.
He was also previously affiliated with the party, and had been expelled from MQM in 2008 for violating party policy.
