LAHORE: Aftermath of May 9 arson incident has led to an increasing number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders parting ways with party, with total now reaching 24.

Most prominent figure to exit party so far is former Minister Dr Shireen Mazari, senior leader within PTI. Mazari, who had been detained for over week despite court orders for her release, announced her departure from both party and politics altogether, citing family reasons.

Abdul Razaq Khan Niazi, former PTI Member of Provincial Assembly from Khanewal condemned attacks on military installations and suggested that such actions could not have occurred without support of party leadership.  Former Punjab information minister Fayazul Hassan Chohan, Makhdoom Iftikharul Hassan Gillani, former MPA from Bahawalpur and Mian Jaleel Ahmed Sharaqpuri from Sheikupura have also formally announced their departure from party.

Additionally, PTI leader Khawaja Qutab Fareed Koreja from Liaqatpur has decided to join Pakistan Peoples’ Party after observing growing strength of party in south Punjab and shifting political landscape.

PTI leaders Jamshed Iqbal Cheema and Musarrat Jamshed Cheema currently imprisoned are also planning to leave party due to May 9 violence.  Prominent figures who have recently left party include former Health Minister and founding member of PTI Aamer Mahmood Kiani, Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, former Minister Malik Amin Aslam, former provincial minister Dr Hisham Inamullah Malik, PTI West Punjab President Faizullah Kamoka, and Dr Muhammad Amjad.

Departures have also been witnessed in Sindh, where Mehmood Moulvi, Aftab Saddiqui, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Jay Parkash, Sanjay Gangwani and Dr Imran Shah have left party.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 24 2023

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