Usman Dar trying to restore links with PTI: Khawaja Asif

• PTI misrepresenting facts, running away from polls: Khawaja Asif.
• Offers Usman Dar to file application and have incident be probed.
• Reiterates "no hurdle preventing Nawaz from contesting elections".

Responding to allegations levelled against him by former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar’s mother, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart Khawaja Asif has said it seems Dar wishes to restore his tumbling reputation after quitting politics.

Speaking on Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk” on Wednesday, Asif said that the ex-PTI leader is welcome to file an application against him and can even have the incident investigated by the officers of his choice.

Asif, the former federal minister, was referring to the allegations levelled by Dar’s mother who claimed that her house was attacked and she, along with her family members, were manhandled by the police on Asif’s behest — an accusation vehemently denied by the ex-defence minister.

In a video statement, Dar’s mother said that her house was broken into by people who manhandled her, pulling her hair and tearing her shirt.

"When they heard that I was submitting my nomination papers, they [Khawaja Asif] sent 20 people to my house,” she had claimed.

Responding to the allegations today, Asif said that if nomination papers were snatched from any PTI candidate [then] they could simply get new ones. "The PTI is misrepresenting [facts]. They are running away from the elections."

Commenting on the party supremo Nawaz Sharif’s plans for upcoming elections slated for February 8, 2024, the senior PML-N leader said that there is no hurdle preventing Nawaz from contesting the February 8 polls.

“Parliament has barred disqualification exceeding five years,” he said while referring to the lifetime disqualification handed to the former prime minister in the Panama Papers case.

He also revealed that the party's supreme leader will contest elections from Lahore and various other constituencies.

“From what I’ve heard, Nawaz [Sharif] will contest elections from Lahore and various other constituencies,” he said.

Asif’s remarks come as earlier Geo News — citing PML-N leader Captain (retd) Safdar — reported that the three-time former premier plans to file nomination papers for the National Assembly seat "NA 15 Mansehra-cum-TorGhar" by December 21 (Thursday).

Responding to a query pertaining to incarcerated former PTI chief Imran Khan and his possible participation in the polls, the PML-N leader said that the issue is of a legal nature which is to be addressed by the courts.

Continuing on his tirade against Dar, Asif referred to PTI’s Barrister Ali’s remarks who has said that the party will not give tickets to those who had chosen to part ways with it.

Elaborating on his future plans, he said that he plans to contest the polls from the same constituency as before and will file his nomination papers tomorrow.

Dar, a former close aide of Khan, had left the PTI in October on account of the May 9 riots which saw military installations being vandalised after the arrest of the former premier in a graft case.