Asad Umar, former secretary-general of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has stirred a hornet’s nest by stating in an interview with ARY’s Kashif Abbasi that he does not agree with party Chairman Imran Khan’s strategies. Umar also criticised the former Prime Minister for not negotiating with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
“I had told Khan, things are not going in the right direction,” he remarked.

“I told Chairman PTI to not close the doors for talk with other stakeholders but he didn’t listen and it is the fundamental reason for me resigning from my party position,” the former Finance Minister told Abbasi.

During the interview Kashif asked Umar if he had gotten any deal offers, to which Asad said that he is getting invitations from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan party.

PTI took exception to Asad Umar’s statement, condemning what he said. The party spokesperson asked Asad Umar that if he had issues with the party’s strategy then why didn’t he leave his position at that time.

“Ambiguity and confusion are evident in Asad Umar’s thoughts; Asad Umar’s claims that he stepped down from the duties of secretary general due to disagreements over the chairman’s strategy appear to contradict reality,” the statement read.

It is further mentioned in the party’s statement that Asad Umar left the party alone in difficult times.

The statement further added that Asad Umar is well aware of the efforts made by PTI to talk to other political parties about national interest.