Pakistan
PTI issues show-cause notice to Faisal Vawda after his claim of 'bloodshed during long march'
The party's secretary-general Asad Umar says Faisal Vawda's statement doesn't represent party policy and views
Islamabad: The PTI issued show-cause notice to party leader Faisal Vawda for stating during a press conference that the party's long march would trigger bloodshed, deaths and funerals.
In the show-cause notice, PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi told the former minister that he had "grossly violated discipline by giving statements against party policies and guidelines".
"This is in serious violation of party rules as per the constitution, therefore, you are required to submit a reply within two days of this notice stating why your party membership should not be cancelled."
Zaidi said that until his response, his party membership would remain suspended and he would not be allowed to hold any party office or represent the party in the media.
Talking to a private television channel right after Vawda's hard-hitting presser, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said the party leader's claims of bloodshed during the march were "false".
"PTI's march will be peaceful," Fawad said, voicing PTI Chairman Imran Khan's statement that the march would see no violence and he would not allow his workers to be arrested.
"Frankly, I am surprised and confused at Faisal Vawda's press conference. We were unaware of his press conference," the senior PTI leader said.
He added that he would call Vawda and inquire about his media talk.
In a tweet, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar said Vawda's statement does not represent party policy and views, adding that a show-cause notice would be issued to him.
"President Sindh has been told on the instructions of the chairman Imran Khan to issue show cause notice to Faisal for violating party policy," Umar said.
Zaidi said Vawda tried to "damage" the party's long march as he cast aspersions behind the motives of the presser.
"Interestingly all channels + PTV covered the presser so it’s clear that #ImportedGovernment launched him. But he made no sense," the former federal minister said.
Zaidi asked that when Khan has clearly issued instructions for all to remain peaceful, then what weight Vawda's presser carried.