December 10, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 5,1423

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MULTAN, Dec 9: The incarcerated central vice-chairman of the PPP, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani has resigned from the party office after the defection of his nephew MNA Asad Murtaza Gillani to the P-5.

The quitting vice-chairman and central executive member, Gillani, in his four-page letter to party chairperson Ms Benazir Bhutto, has vowed to play his role as a “devoted and loyal member of her party with complete faith in her leadership.”

He said he felt himself responsible in getting a ticket for his nephew against the constituency where he (Yousaf) had contested elections before. He said he hung his face in shame for the conduct of his nephew and added “people of my constituency had voted for the party of which I have been a loyal member.”

He said he was deeply hurt to know through the media that Asad Murtaza, who was elected on PPP ticket, had joined the forward bloc. “I condemn him and all other party members of national and provincial assemblies who have chosen to align themselves with the present regime for personal gains.”

Further criticizing his nephew, he said he had not only let him down but had also betrayed the trust of the voters and the party.