Imran-Gulalai issue turns into a scandal

ISLAMABAD: The issue between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and MNA Ayesha Gulalai has turned into a scandal as the series of allegations and counter-allegations continued for the second day on Thursday.

Ayesha Gulalai alleged that the party chief, Imran Khan, had hinted towards tying the knot in the texts sent to her, which also included inappropriate messages. Gulalai further claimed that she had informed her father that Imran had asked her to meet alone. She said she went along with her father and brother to meet Imran, which irked him.

She added that her father had asked Imran what he wanted, but Imran dodged the question. “I am ready to sit in front of Imran and can confront him on the obnoxious messages that he sent. He put me through mental torture and pain,” said Gulalai.

She reiterated that Imran had sent her the first inappropriate message in 2013. Gulalai claimed that her exposure to the media was also reduced through Shireen Mazari, and she was not appreciated for highlighting public issues. “After all this, I decided to quit the party,” she said.

When asked why she broke her silence after several years, Gulalai said, “I felt embarrassed, hence I held back for four years before finally speaking up.”To Imran’s claims that the PML-N is behind her allegations, Gulalai said the PTI chief has been blaming others for his deeds, adding, “He should come and face me.”

About the texts, she said the texts were received from the PTI chairman’s personal number. “Imran said that he wanted to present a Blackberry phone to me and sent me the pin-code for messages, which I didn’t accept.”

Speaking of the incompetence of the KP government, Gulalai said being part of the PTI, it had been difficult for her to defend the Pervez Khattak-led provincial government.She praised Shahbaz Sharif for his governance of Punjab, however, reiterated that Nawaz-League is not an option for her. “I would rather go for completing my doctorate in Islamic studies and comparative religions.”

Speaking in Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Sath, Gulalai said she will provide proof of her allegations if summoned by a court of law or a parliamentary committee.

“I am not here speaking without evidence. I will not pursue it personally, however, if they go to some forum, I will cooperate,” she said. Gulalai showed the alleged messages briefly to senior journalist Hamid Mir.“The messages showed to me add weightage to Ayesha Gulalai’s claims, but they should be investigated,” said Hamid Mir.

She lamented that the PTI had targeted her sister and added that her sister was non-political and should not have been dragged into the issue. “Imran tried to portray himself as innocent during his interview today,” said Gulalai.

Gulalai, in a new revelation, also said PTI spokesperson Naeemul Haque had also sent her a text message.“Naeemul Haque also sent a text after sometime stating, ‘I am alone and want to marry’,” claimed Gulalai. She further said the purpose of her press conference was to caution women and to quit the party.

Referring to the legal notice sent to her by the PTI, she saidthat PTI initially tried to make a deal with her. "They have sent me a Rs30 million legal notice, I don't even have Rs300,000 in my account. They tried to make a deal."

She also claimed that she was called and asked by PTI's Awn Chaudhry to not address the press conference and a delegation would have visited her to discuss the matter. The former PTI leader further said that her grievances were not only personal, but they were also related to public issues and corruption in the province.

Imran Khan in his counter-attack claimed that Ayesha Gulalai has been used and bought by the PML-N. "The PML-N has used her and bought her. This is the tried and tested method of PML-N," said Imran in an interview with a private TV channel.

The PTI chairman added that he thought Gulalai had potential and was disappointed that she had stooped to "such a level". He said there is no logic in the allegations. "I have worked with numerous women in my career, whether it’s in my party, in England and in the charity hospital I established. How many women have levelled such allegations against me?" questioned the PTI chairman.

Imran said he had expected the PML-N to "stoop to this level as they have tried everything". He further added that PTI is the party which has brought women to the forefront of politics in Pakistan.

"I have told everyone in the party that anyone who does not respect women in our party, I will take action against them personally," said the PTI chief. "I was married for 11 years and was a bachelor otherwise. How come no one has come forward with such allegations before?"

Imran also said he has refrained his party leaders and supporters from targeting Gulalai's sister.  Gulalai however, has claimed that she is being threatened by PTI supporters. She added that if any harm comes to her or to her family, she will hold Imran Khan responsible for it. Gulalai also denied allegations of corruption levelled against her and said Noor Zaman and Mujahid Khattak, individuals who accused her of corruption, were never political assistants.

Former state minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that whatever was transpiring since Gulalai’s statement has been extremely sorrowful and painful. “Due to such attitudes, we all have turned politics a curse word,” Marriyum said. “Could anyone watch the talk shows and the debates during the last three days with his mother and daughter,” she asked.

In her statement, Marriyum said that no society could even imagine of such a collective moral low where politics is being done over mothers, sisters and daughters. “Those throwing mud at others’ mothers, sisters and daughters should remember about mother, sisters and daughters at their homes,” she said.

“What Ayesha Gulalai has said should be probed a proper forum, but the way this issue is being scandalised is extremely shameful,” she added. “It’s excruciatingly painful to watch mainstream and social media in particular shredding away woman’s dignity crossing all moral boundaries,” she said.

“Pemra too is silently watching the show like a spectator. As a woman, I appeal with a heavy heart to everyone to stop this game. I request all the political parties to keep respect to woman in view,” Marriyum added.

Meanwhile, senior leader of PTI Babar Awan called on Imran and discussed with him the upcoming developments in the Panama Papers case.

Imran contended that Panama case had triggered accountability process. “The PTI is endeavouring to establish rule of law and will give loyal and honest leadership to this country,” he vowed.

The PTI chairman stated that Indian Prime Minister Modi’s pals would face more severe blows soon. It has been learnt that both leaders decided to issue party’s strategy regarding the on-going political milieu soon.

Babar Awan noted that PML-N had attacked the state institutions in a bid to malign them and said that the PML-N must keep in mind that the nation would not forget Panama.

Meanwhile, PTI spokesman Naeemul Haq said the party chairman would not appear before any parliamentary committee with regards to Ayesha Gulalai's allegations. Naeemul Haque alleged that former Nawaz Sharif was using government resources and the country was being run by a puppet government.

“Maulana Fazlur Rehman considers it his moral and ethical obligation to be a part of every corrupt and dishonest government. According to his faith, corruption and usurping nation’s wealth is no crime,” charged the PTI MNA Murad Saeed, in reaction to his media talk earlier.

“It is not surprising for most Karachiites that MQM-Pakistan voted in favour of PML-N’s prime minister candidate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The PML-N did not need the votes of MQM-Pakistan to get its candidate elected as PM but still chose to court MQM-Pakistan again for their votes just like in the presidential election back in 2013,” said PTI’s Ali Zaidi.