PESHAWAR: Some parliamentarians of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf hinted at handing over their resignations to the party Chairman Imran Khan ahead of “Azadi March” scheduled to be held in Islamabad on Aug 14 against the alleged rigging in general elections.

“We are ready to hand over resignations at the parliamentary party meeting to be held before the National Assembly session on August 4. Though the party has not yet decided about quitting from the assembly, I am sure the party will ask for submission of resignations,” said PTI’s MNA from Peshawar Hamidul Haq.

“There’s no other agenda of that meeting except for seeking resignations because our party will go to any extent to make sure that those who rigged election of May 2013 are brought to book,” he said.

Mr Haq, who is a close associate of Imran Khan, said he believed that other lawmakers would also follow suit. He claimed that lawmakers would obey the party’s directives regarding quitting their seats.

Another MNA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who wished he not be named told Dawn that the party was not sure about some people who had joined the PTI very late.

Without naming anyone, he said some people may show hesitation in handing over their resignations to the party high command because they don’t have any ideological affiliation with the PTI.

The lawmaker said that some of his colleagues may find it difficult to give up their NA membership but it was crucial for the success of Azadi march.

Published in Dawn, Aug 3rd, 2014