Former federal minister and party leader Faisal Vawda‘s membership in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was suspended on Wednesday.
“Vawda claimed that Arshad Sharif was murdered and that the government was not behind his killing. He claimed that Imran Khan was being misled and that the PTI’s long march is going to turn bloody. Shortly after, he was removed from PTI’s central core committee WhatsApp group.”
“Faisal Vawda’s claims of a long march marred with “bloodshed, death and funerals”, the PTI has distanced itself from the former minister’s statement.”
Syed Ali Zaidi, the president of the PTI Sindh, sent Faisal Vawda a show-cause notice in a tweet, and said, “Your statement is against party policy and is directed to submit an explanation of your statement otherwise your party membership will be suspended.”
Syed Ali Haider Zaidi’s Tweet of notice:
PTI Sindh President ( Ali Zaidi) said that:
“Grossly violated discipline by giving statements against party policies and guidelines”.
“This is in serious violation of party rules as per the constitution, therefore, you are required to submit a reply within two days of this notice stating why your party membership should not be canceled.”
Zaidi said that until his response, his party membership would stay suspended and that he would not be permitted to serve in any post or speak on behalf of the party in the media.
“Deaths Will Take Place in Long March”
“Vawda addressed a press conference to reveal some inside details of slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s “premeditated murder”, where he said that the long march – set to kick start from Lahore on October 28 (Friday) – would witness bloodshed, death, and funerals.”
“These funerals will definitely be held, but I will try until my dying breath to save my Pakistanis from sacrificing their lives for a conspiracy hatched by some people. I will try to end this politics of death and bloodshed in this country.”
Vawda said that “important and common” people’s deaths and funerals will take place in the long march, adding that there were “ulterior motives” behind the march to Islamabad.
In order to “divert the focus” and get the country to “start seeing things in black and white,” Faisal Vawda claimed that a number of fatalities would occur both before and during the long march.
‘False’ Statement By Faisal Vawda
Following Vawda’s frank press conference, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry claimed that the party leader’s accusations of bloodshed during the march were “false” in an interview with a private television network.
“PTI’s march will be peaceful,” Fawad said, voicing PTI Chairman Imran Khan‘s statement that the march would see no violence and he would not allow his workers to be arrested.
“Frankly, I am surprised and confused at Faisal Vawda’s press conference. We were unaware of his press conference,” the senior PTI leader said.
“He added that he would call Vawda and inquire about his media talk.”
“In a tweet, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar said Vawda’s statement does not represent party policy and views, adding that a show-cause notice would be issued to him.”
Asad Umar’s Tweet:
“Zaidi said Vawda tried to damage the party’s long march as he cast aspersions behind the motives of the presser.”
Ali Haider Zaidi’s Reply to Asad Umar:
