Former minister and PTI politician Farrukh Habib reemerged on Monday following his detention in Gwadar last month and announced his defection from Imran Khan’s party, labelling Khan a “irresponsible leader” and instead joining the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), which is run by Jahangir Tareen.

At a press conference here, Habib and the IPP leaders blamed Imran, alleging that he was “promoting violence and brainwashing youth,” for the unrest on May 9.
Imran Khan’s behaviour was irresponsible. The youth have been indoctrinated to believe that all institutions are out to get us. Imran, you not only indoctrinated them, you turned them against your own institutions and your own army.
After his imprisonment in Gwadar last month alongside four of his brothers, Habib has reemerged alongside the IPP’s top leaders.
Then, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan posted on microblogging service X, “Farrukh Habib, former minister of state and President PTI West Punjab has been abducted by unidentified people a short while ago.”
The increasing practise of PTI leader abductions is strongly denounced. Abducted leaders are forced to make recorded comments explaining why they are abandoning the PTI and Imran Khan.
After the riots on May 9, which were declared a “black day” by the then PML-N led coalition government and the military establishment, Habib joined the lengthy list of PTI leaders who had deserted the erstwhile ruling party.
During the news conference, the ex-PTI leader claimed that protests in front of military facilities had occurred frequently in the past, but were always peaceful.
The people were willing to face their own army because of you [Imran]. Despite being in a position of responsibility, Imran Khan continued to advocate for violence, he said.
Despite a protest happening in his own Faisalabad constituency on May 9, he stated the day would be regarded as a tragic chapter in the history of Pakistan.
Habib claimed that Imran was in power for three years before being dismissed through a vote of no-confidence in accordance with the constitution. However, the previous prime minister opted for violent means rather than peaceful ones.
He said he was sorry for what happened on May 9 and called the tragedy a mistake. He announced he was leaving the PTI and discussed how he had previously met with IPP leader Jahangir Tareen.
Habib hasn’t spoken much about his whereabouts since he vanished, but he has said that he hasn’t been to his house in five months and hasn’t spoken to his family in weeks.
When asked about the cypher, Habib claimed that Imran had exploited it for political gain without considering the repercussions.
“You may confront [the US] when you have a $1,000 billion in reserves, but when your situation is bleak, you cannot afford such a confrontation,” he continued.