Asad Umar likely to rejoin Imran Khan's PTI

Ex-Finance Minister and Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar is expected to rejoin Imran Khan's party, sources said on Friday.

The speculations surrounded when a picture of Asad Umar with PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan went viral on social media.

In the photo, Imran Khan's former close aide could be seen rejoicing the moment with a laugh.

x.com

Imagine if Asad Umar has been calling the shots. 😂 pic.twitter.com/GNVZ5ef7tB

— wanderer (@Ahmeds4ys) May 23, 2024

Sources said the meeting was held between Omar and Asad at a private restaurant in Islamabad. However, the purpose of the meeting was not clear yet.

Asad was one of many PTI leaders who had left the party following violence in the country on May 9, 2023, when the 71-year-old politician was arrested in the corruption case.

After months of May 9 riots, Asad Umar announced to quit politics and resigned from the basic membership of the Imran Khan-led party on November 11, 2023.

"After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics. As I had already stated publicly earlier that I disagree with the policy of confrontation with state institutions, and such a policy has led to a serious collision with state institutions, which is not in the interest of the country," he said in a statement on X.

x.com

After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics.

As i had already stated publicly earlier that i disagree with the policy of confrontation with state institutions, and such a policy has led to a serious collission with state institutions,…

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 11, 2023

"I want to thank all those who have supported me in public life. In particular I want to thank the NA 54 team and the voters who elected me twice. I have tried my best to serve the constituency that I was elected from. May Allah's blessings shine upon the Pakistani nation," Umar concluded his post.

Later, Asad Umar criticised his leader Imran Khan for refusing to negotiate with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), saying it was his  "biggest mistake".

Several times in different talk shows and interviews Umar has refuted the notion that he would rejoin PTI or politics, however, sources said that the former politician is mulling to become a part of Imran Khan's force again.