ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has spoken to Jahangir Tareen over the phone amid reports that the opposition has reached out to the estranged PTI leader.
Speaking to a news channel, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi confirmed the prime minister had called Tareen after a long hiatus and inquired after his health. However, Qureshi downplayed the contact and said the prime minister called his former close aide as a “goodwill gesture”.
According to the media reports, the premier telephoned Tareen before his departure to London reportedly for medical treatment. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill also communicated that the prime minister had contacted Tareen.
While speaking to a new channel, Gill said that Imran Khan telephoned Jahangir Tareen to inquire about his health. “Imran Khan can contact Tareen at any time as both are old friends,” he clarified.
The development comes days after two federal ministers urged the prime minister to contact Tareen amid reports that the opposition had reached out to him, seeking support for a no-confidence motion against the government.
PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah on Saturday dismissed rumours that estranged PTI leader Tareen was travelling to London to hold a meeting with Nawaz Sharif. He said Tareen went for medical treatment and no meeting is scheduled with the PML-N self-exiled leader.
The Jahangir Tareen group is considering supporting the opposition in the no-trust move against the PTI-led government after holding a meeting at the residence of Awn Chaudhry. The group gave authority to Tareen to take a final decision. Most members of the group suggested standing with the PML-N in the anti-government stance while somr advised maintaining independent status.
Last Friday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid had claimed to have requested the premier to talk to his “old friend”. Tareen had reportedly met PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
