Former PTI Leader Blames Imran Khan for May 9 Unrest, Joins IPP



In a bold move, Farrukh Habib, once a prominent member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), severed his affiliation with the former ruling party, citing deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan's "irresponsible leadership." In a press conference held alongside leaders of the Jahangir Tareen-led Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) in Islamabad, Farrukh attributed responsibility to Imran Khan for the May 9 riots, asserting that the former PM had actively promoted violence and manipulated the youth.
Habib stated, "Imran Khan failed to exhibit responsible leadership. He misled and radicalized the youth, convincing them that our institutions were working against us. Imran not only indoctrinated them but also turned them against their own institutions, including the army."

Habib re-emerged today, appearing alongside IPP leaders after his recent arrest in Gwadar and his four brothers last month. The PTI Secretary General, Omar Ayub Khan, tweeted, "Farrukh Habib, the former Minister of State and President of PTI West Punjab, was reportedly abducted by unidentified individuals a short while ago. The increasing trend of abducting PTI leaders is strongly condemned. Leaders are kidnapped and then coerced into making statements of leaving PTI and Imran Khan."

Habib now joins the growing list of PTI leaders who have departed from the party following the May 9 riots, a day designated as a "black day" by the then PML-N-led coalition government and the military establishment.

During the press conference today, the former PTI leader highlighted that there had been numerous protests in front of military institutions in the past, but they had never escalated into violence. He directly addressed Imran Khan, saying, "You, Imran Khan, brought the people to a point where they were willing to confront their own army. Imran Khan should have acted responsibly, but instead, he continued to endorse violence."

Habib emphasized that May 9 would be remembered as a dark chapter in Pakistan's history, clarifying that he did not participate in any protests on that day, even when a demonstration occurred in his constituency in Faisalabad.

He noted that Imran Khan held power for three years and was then constitutionally removed through a no-confidence vote. However, instead of seeking peaceful solutions, the former PM resorted to violence, which Habib deeply regretted.

He announced his departure from PTI and disclosed that he had met with IPP chief Jahangir Tareen before joining the party. Although he did not specify his whereabouts during his disappearance, he revealed that he had not been at his residence for the past five months and had recently lost contact with his family.

Regarding the Cypher controversy, Farrukh criticized Imran for using it for his political advantage without considering the potential consequences. He said, "Confronting [the US] might be an option when you have a $1,000 billion in reserves, but when your situation is dire, such a confrontation becomes unaffordable