Ijaz Ul Haq, the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), has severed ties with the party in view of the violence that occurred on May 9 and its impact on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Haq refuted all media reports that suggested differently in a statement he provided to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in which he disputed the merger between his party and the PTI.
Numerous PTI leaders have split from the Imran Khan-led party following the tumultuous protests on May 9, during which PTI supporters attacked the government and military installations.
After the riots, the country’s civil and military leadership vowed to deal ruthlessly with troublemakers and those responsible for the attacks, with plans to trial them in military courts.
However, a recent letter the former minister got on May 5 from the election authorities served as the impetus for his remarks.
In the letter, questions were raised over his party’s status and intra-party polls for the forthcoming general elections.
“The party may have an election alliance with PTI in the next election but no merger has taken place and the news reports regarding it have no substance,” Haq was quoted as having written to the electoral body.
Ijaz, the son of former military dictator General Zia ul Haq, and PTI Chairman Imran Khan met in Lahore earlier this year.
Media subsequently Covered the proposed merger of their respective parties.
There were no outward denials of the report at the time.
