LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmoodur Rashid and Omar Sarfraz Cheema on Thursday expressed their resolve to never quit the party or betray its chairman Imran Khan.

Police produced them before an anti-terrorism court on expiry of their physical remand in cases relating to the May 9 violent protests following the arrest of the PTI chief.

The police requested the court to extend their physical remand saying their further custody was required to complete the investigation. However, Judge Abher Gul Khan denied the police further custody of the three leaders and sent them to jail on judicial remand.

Responding to the media queries about PTI leaders quitting the party, Dr Yasmin said she was not going anywhere and will never leave her party. “I stand by my party and leader,” she maintained.

Mr Rashid, a former provincial minister, also vowed to stand by the PTI and Imran Khan.

“I cannot even think of leaving PTI or Imran Khan,” he told the reporters.

He did not comment on a question about pressure on him from any quarter, however, reiterated that he could not think of quitting the party despite all odds. He said all cases against him were bogus and fabricated.

About other arrested leaders of the PTI leaving the party after coming out of jails, he said some people could not sustain the pressure.

Mr Cheema, a former governor, said he was an ideological worker of the PTI and would never part ways with the party. He said his commitment to the party and Imran Khan was unyielding.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2023