ISLAMABAD: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a disassociated central figure of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), lodged an application with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday to establish his own political entity.
The seasoned politician, who diverged from the Nawaz-led party due to differences over the past year, submitted necessary paperwork to the electoral authority for the formation of a new political outfit.
Abbasi, a former prime minister serving from August 2017 to May 2018, informed reporters that he furnished the required documents to the election commission for his forthcoming political venture, which will operate under the Election Act 2017. He declared his intention to contest the upcoming elections under the banner of his newly formed party.
Prior to Abbasi’s decision, two prominent figures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jahangir Tareen and Pervez Khattak, established their own political factions, along with a considerable number of politicians formerly associated with the Imran Khan-founded party.
Tareen officially launched his party, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), in June last year. Shortly after, Khattak inaugurated his party named PTI Parliamentarians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), attracting numerous defectors from the erstwhile ruling party.
Abbasi had hinted at the prospect of forming a new party on multiple occasions due to his discord with PML-N’s top leadership, indicating the emergence of a new political entity following the nationwide polls on February 8.
Furthermore, he opted out of contesting the 2024 general elections. His decision is noteworthy, particularly after stepping down from party office subsequent to Maryam Nawaz’s appointment as senior vice-president and chief organizer last year.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
