Jahangir Tareen to announce new political party 'very soon'.

LAHORE -- In a bid to take advantage of the mass exodus of leaders from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seasoned politician Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) - once Imran Khan's closest aide - is likely to announce his new party, mostly comprising the former ruling party's defectors, during the next few days.

The development came during a luncheon hosted in honour of JKT and his aides at the residence of former PTI leader Aleem Khan. JKT, accompanied by 'important political personalities' is likely to announce the launch of a new political party, well-placed sources said.

A day earlier, Tareen made telephonic contacts with more than 100 political leaders, including current and those leaders who have recently bid adieu to the PTI after the May 9 mayhem.

The former ruling party has been feeling the heat of the state's might after enraged PTI workers allegedly attacked sensitive military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander's House and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan on May 9 - a day the army dubbed as 'Black Day'. The exodus of leaders from the party started when the government decided to try the May 9 vandals in the military courts.

Tareen was the secretary general of the PTI before he was ousted from politics in 2017 after the Supreme Court disqualified him for being 'dishonest' on a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi.

However, despite the disqualification, Tareen remained part of the PTI and was crucial in wooing independent lawmakers to join the Imran Khan-led party after the 2018 elections. His efforts proved critical as they helped Khan secure the prime ministership in...