LAHORE: Punjab’s former governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar has said he will neither re-apply for the British citizenship nor join Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.

“I am not buying one-way ticket to London. I will return and take part in active politics and work for the people of Pakistan in an independent capacity,” he said while talking to reporters here on Sunday.

Chaudhry Sarwar resigned last week because of what he said his failure to achieve the goals he had set for himself while assuming the office on Aug 5, 2013. He complained about rising crime graph, helplessness of victims before oppressors and the power of land mafia which he said were as “more influential than the governor”.

He said that rumours about his joining the PTI were baseless and had no such plans. “I did not even join the PML-N. I have good relations with leaders of all political parties.”

He described the rumour that his resignation had anything to do with the so-called ‘London plan’ (of Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri) as rubbish.

He said the people of Pakistan were brave but oppressed. “I am wondering why the rulers who visit Europe but never introduce its system here for the betterment of the people.”

He stressed the need for holding local government elections in the country and devolving power. “Things will improve with the devolution of power. The power should not be limited to five per cent of the total population,” he said.

According to him, every third Pakistani is a victim of the land mafia and the government must look into this problem. He said he stood for democracy where even a common man’s son could get the same opportunities and rights as those of the elite.

Published in Dawn February 2nd , 2015

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