Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly spoken to estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen over the phone to enquire about his health, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi confirmed.
Despite earlier reports that members of the premier’s camp have urged him to reconcile with Tareen, Quershi insisted the call was a mere ‘goodwill gesture’.
PM Imran called Tareen before he left for London, where he is reportedly seeking a medical check-up. Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Punjab President Rana Sanaullah denied rumours that Tareen would meet with party chief Nawaz Sharif while in London. Sharif is also in London seeking medical treatment for an indefinite period.
“As per my information, Tareen went for his medical treatment and no meeting is scheduled with Mian Nawaz Sharif,” Sanaullah said.
The Jahangir Tareen group of approximately 30 members from the national and provincial assemblies has been courted by the opposition in recent weeks to support its no-confidence motion against the prime minister. Earlier this month, Jahangir Tareen reportedly held a ‘secret meeting‘ with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the ouster of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
While the group has reportedly granted authority to Tareen himself to make the final decision, most of the members of the group advocated for joining the opposition’s anti-government stance, while others, especially those from Jhang, suggested the group remain independent.
Last week, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad had said “I would suggest PM Khan have talks with Jahangir Tareen, even if PTI gets upset with my suggestion.” Sources indicated that initially the prime minister had responded to this suggestion with ‘a stony silence‘.
