Iqbal Khan, a former member of the TTP Swat's Sufi Mohammad faction is now a part of the Imran Khan-led standoff in Zaman Park, according to senior journalist Hamid Mir.
"This is Maulana Iqbal Khan, who was earlier associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and was in jail following his arrest," Mir said in a tweet on Thursday evening.
He was freed by Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed under the garb of peace talks and was made a part of the PTI by then KP CM Mahmood Khan, the journalist added. "He is in Zaman Park, Lahore these days."
Mir's Twitter post also carried a video of his talk with Aqeel Yousafzai, who confirmed the development.
He added that Iqbal was made a part of PTI as a result of the peace process ongoing at the time, and he was indeed brought to the fold by then CM Khan.
https://twitter.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1636415300815171585
Earlier today, Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir spoke about 'militant elements' at the Zaman Park house during the operation a day earlier.
Addressing a presser accompanied by IG police Usman Anwar, he said that the authorities had received an information about the presence of militants belonging to K-P at the site.
The caretaker minister assured the state would take action against such elements once the operation is complete.
'Eight militants'
Meanwhile, investigative journalist Hassan Naqvi said Iqbal wasn't only a member of the faction; he was the right-hand man of late Sufi Mohammad.
He added that some eight militants are reported to be inside Imran Khan's residence, being the centre of a standoff with the police against his arrest in the Toshakhana case.
Naqvi requested the authorities to take action on the information available as the situation is worrisome.
https://twitter.com/nayadaurpk_urdu/status/1636408303684141067
"This is Maulana Iqbal Khan, who was earlier associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and was in jail following his arrest," Mir said in a tweet on Thursday evening.
He was freed by Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed under the garb of peace talks and was made a part of the PTI by then KP CM Mahmood Khan, the journalist added. "He is in Zaman Park, Lahore these days."
Mir's Twitter post also carried a video of his talk with Aqeel Yousafzai, who confirmed the development.
Yousafzai said Iqbal was a member of Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) since 2009 and hails from Swat's Fatehpur village.
He added that Iqbal was made a part of PTI as a result of the peace process ongoing at the time, and he was indeed brought to the fold by then CM Khan.
https://twitter.com/HamidMirPAK/status/1636415300815171585
Earlier today, Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir spoke about 'militant elements' at the Zaman Park house during the operation a day earlier.
Addressing a presser accompanied by IG police Usman Anwar, he said that the authorities had received an information about the presence of militants belonging to K-P at the site.
The caretaker minister assured the state would take action against such elements once the operation is complete.
'Eight militants'
Meanwhile, investigative journalist Hassan Naqvi said Iqbal wasn't only a member of the faction; he was the right-hand man of late Sufi Mohammad.
He added that some eight militants are reported to be inside Imran Khan's residence, being the centre of a standoff with the police against his arrest in the Toshakhana case.
Naqvi requested the authorities to take action on the information available as the situation is worrisome.
https://twitter.com/nayadaurpk_urdu/status/1636408303684141067