GUJRAT: Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi is set to further cement his camp’s ties with PTI workers and officials in Punjab rather than thinking or relying on the political influence of relatives, particularly the Shujaat camp.

Reliable sources in the Elahi camp told Dawn the release of Parvez Elahi was not part of any deal as he did not leave the PTI nor there was any relief provided to his son, Moonis Elahi, who is in self exile for the last almost 18 months.

Asked then what were the reasons of Elahi’s release, they said advanced age, deteriorating health in captivity and his clearance in most of the cases by courts were major factors.

They said Mr Elahi and his family had firmly stood by PTI founder Imran Khan who, too, acknowledged their sacrifices despite the fact that some elements did try to create mistrust following Elahi’s release from jail.

Former CM set to further cement his ties with PTI

They said so far whosoever struck a deal, had either left the PTI and politics or joined another party.

During their week-long stay in the hometown Gujrat last week, the former CM, his spouse Qaisara Elahi and son Rasikh Elahi held a series of meetings with local PTI workers as well as the supporters of their local group, lawyers from across the province and others. However, his interaction with the media personnel on the second day of Eid was cancelled at the last moment.

Another source said some close relatives from the PML-Q camp had also met Mr Elahi at his Lahore residence in the last week and tried to pacify the Elahi family about the unpleasant events happened during the February elections in Gujrat but they were given a cold-shouldered response.

According to him, the Elahi camp had made it clear to all those elements who advocated in favour of family reunion that there was no room for such a development in future as Parvez Elahi would never leave the PTI.

Another source said there was no chance of a political reconciliation between the scions of Parvez, Shujaat and Wajahat as Moonis Elahi was committed to again rely on Sajid Yousaf Channi, a PTI nominee for NA-63 (Jalalpur Jattan-Tanda) where his cousin Chaudhry Hussain Elahi of the PML-Q had been declared as winner in 2024 polls.

Whereas in NA-64 (Gujrat-Kunjah) a member of Parvez Elahi family would contest against Chaudhry Salik Hussain of the PML-Q whenever the next elections were held.

Former Punjab education minister Imran Masood who is considered a close aide to Parvez Elahi also ruled out any sort of a deal in the release of Mr Elahi.

Talking to Dawn, he said the local administration and police had tried to create a lot of hurdles during Elahi’s week-long stay so that holding the meetings with party workers could be stopped. He said initially barriers were erected around the meeting venues. However, he said, the meetings were later made possible after he talked to the local authorities.

Asked why Mr Elahi remained silent during his public interactions and avoided the media, Masood said Mr Elahi was focusing on his health. Moreover, he said, the former CM was assessing the political situation and his silence was part of a strategy to move forward but as far as Elahi camp’s affiliation with the PTI was concerned it was beyond any doubt.

He said the local PTI supporters had also shared stories of hardships they faced in the last 18 months and vowed to continue their support in future.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2024