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Pakistan Reader# 602, 25 May 2023
Taffy Tonia
Following is a short note on those leaders who have left the PTI during the last one week. It gives a small note on the leaders and the reasons for their exit.
Shireen Mazari
On 23 May, former Human Rights Minister and a chief whip for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shireen Mazari left the PTI. She was earlier arrested five times following the 9 May riots and was re-arrested after a court approved her bail in a case related to vandalism and attacks on defense and public installations. She announced her retirement from active politics, citing serious health and family issues, and said: “Not only the May 9 and 10 violence, but I’ve always condemned every kind of violence especially against state institutions and symbols like the General Headquarters, Supreme Court, and Parliament.”
Fawad Chaudry
On 24 May, the former information Minister and PTI’s senior Vice President and the party spokesman, Fawad Chaudhry was also detained in connection with the 9 May violence before resigning from the PTI. He said: “ I unequivocally condemned the May 9 incidents, I have decided to take a break from politics, therefore, I have resigned from my party position and parted ways with Imran Khan.”
Azad Umar
On 25 May, former Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar stepped down as PTI’s secretary general. He stated that he has not left PTI, but only resigned from the party position. He said: "Not possible for me to lead the party under these circumstances. I am resigning as Secretary General and core committee member of PTI."
Aftab Siddiqui
On 14 May, former MNA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Usman Khan Tarakai and PTI Karachi president Aftab Siddiqui has left the party and politics. He said: “As a businessman will continue to serve the country and for improvement of the economy in an individual capacity.”
Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain
On 21 May, Former Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Wajahat Hussain, who joined the PTI with his cousin Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in February decided to quit PTI. He said: “I supported the PTI wholeheartedly but what happened on May 9 hurt me and the people of my constituency at Zafarwal badly, “therefore, I dissociate myself from the party.”
References
“Ex-minister Wajahat quits PTI,” Business Recorder,23 May 2023“In first major blow for PTI, Shireen Mazari leaves party and quits ‘active politics’,” Dawn, 24 May 2023
Ikram Junaidi, “Under pressure, more PTI figures ‘jump ship’,” Dawn,24 May 2023
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