Firdous Ashiq Awan resigns as PPP vice president Punjab

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Firdous Ashiq Awan resigns as PPP vice president Punjab

Dawn.com Irfan Haider Published July 3, 2015

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KARACHI: Former federal minister Firdous Ashiq Awan has resigned as vice president of Pakistan Peoples Party Punjab, she said in a statement on Friday, adding that chairman Bilawal Bhutto should be given a chance to form his own team.

Awan also met party chairman Bilawal Bhutto in Karachi today and apprised him of her reservations in relation to party affairs in Punjab.

Know more: Setback for PPP as dozens in Punjab mull alternative plan

The former minister claimed the leadership had disowned the party in Punjab, where it was being victimised by PML-N’s heavy handedness. She said except for Sindh, the PPP was in shambles everywhere, adding that it was time for an overhaul among party ranks.

“The PPP is ill and a major surgery is needed to set things right again.”

According to Awan, Bilawal declined to accept her resignation and assured her that her concerns relating to party policies and victimisation at the hands of the ruling PML-N will be addressed within a few days.

Bilawal further told Awan she would soon see the uncertain situation in the party changing, Awan said.

Awan told Dawn.com that the party leadership sacrificed the political interests of Punjab to save the political interests of Sindh which created panic among PPP leaders in the province.

“The PPP is not in power in the province while it failed to play the role of ‘real opposition’ according to the wishes of the masses of the province. That’s why the party representatives believe that they are ‘irrelevant’ for the PPP in Punjab,” Awan said.

It is pertinent to mention here that a number of key PPP leaders from Punjab including former state minister Syed Sumsam Ali Bokhari and former provincial minister Muhammad Ashraf Khan Sohna announced to join PTI at the residence of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Bani Gala on Wednesday.

Also read: PPP suffers another blow in Punjab as Sumsam Bokhari joins PTI

Former federal minister and information secretary of the PPP, Qamar Zaman Kaira, while talking to Dawn.com earlier, said the situation was very difficult for the party. "This is why some PPP leaders are feeling ‘weary’ in the present circumstances."

“The PPP had failed to win in the general elections of May 2013 and faced disappointment in by-elections held in different constituencies in Punjab. Those quitting PPP want to join the winners to secure their political future,” Kaira said.

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Ibrahim

Jul 03, 2015 08:53pm

Putting on a sad face, and blaming others instead of sharing the responsibility is an old trick in pakistani politics. The next news bulletin will be that this lady has joined PTI. Imran Khan should stop accepting, renegades, political turn coats, and other incompetent discards into the folds of his organization. They will drown his party, and with that any hope that is left for Pakistan.

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Ali

Jul 03, 2015 08:55pm

I respect her decision.

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Surinder S.Kade

Jul 03, 2015 09:00pm

Unless dyanestic parties allow ordinary people to reach the top the the counties will not progress, This applies to the South Asian Countries

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Tahir A

Jul 03, 2015 09:07pm

Now wait a minute, didn't she belong to PML-Q before joining PPP? Now hoping to join PTI. It must be like a rudder-less ship following the direction of the wind with no fixed ideology or personal manifesto. I still remember her live TV run-in with Kashmala Tariq on the subject of changing parties with inelegant language used.

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M Jamal

Jul 03, 2015 09:17pm

Our legacy is to climb the moving train. Nowadays PTI is moving.

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Amir Mahmood

Jul 03, 2015 09:18pm

I sincerely hope that she does not join PTI

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Hasan

Jul 03, 2015 09:19pm

It's so funny seeing all these jiyalas scratching their heads, now that they've realised they finally can't cash in any more on the name of a man who died almost forty years ago. Firdous Awan is one of these PPP matriarchs who comes on TV and shouts over all the other panellists so that nobody can challenge her properly. I sincerely hope IK keeps his distance. Hasan

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 03, 2015 09:30pm

What else can she do?

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Hassan Parvez

Jul 03, 2015 09:34pm

If these corrupt politicians of PPP are accepted by PTI, they will damage the party beyond repair. Imran Khan must take stand, should not accept them in his party.

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Cyrus

Jul 03, 2015 09:39pm

@Ibrahim ... True enough. The same old, old faces will derail his chances when his hope is with the youth in Pakistan. Only what Imran Khan cannot fight is big money; and political workers expect political jobs. That includes his own campaign workers. So let them earn their chances.

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Axactiion

Jul 03, 2015 09:50pm

Bilawal will fix everything!

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Tanweer Khan

Jul 03, 2015 10:06pm

@Cyrus @Ibrahim @Hassan Parvez - You guys are right. All these Lotas are only joining PTI for their own political futures, as they have realised that with PPP they will not get very far in Punjab. Naya Pakistan will only be built by Naye politicians - Puraney Lotey will ruin it. Sad to say, but by accepting these turncoats into their fold, PTI will be ruined - and the country will be back where it was 30 years ago. The omens are not looking great - and that is the real shame.

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zardari

Jul 03, 2015 10:21pm

@Amir Mahmood she must join PTI.

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KeyPoints

Jul 03, 2015 10:30pm

Best way to revive PPP may be an election within party to freely elect party officials. That would show that party believes in democracy within party, as well as democracy in the country. Same should be done in all political parties in Pakistan. A truly democratic party should not be run by a single individual or a single family.

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Muhammad Zafar iqbal

Jul 03, 2015 11:00pm

Why not she had resigned from PPP when she was enjoying ministerial powers and was doing all the wrongs with her other cabinet colleagues which had cost dearly to PPP . First that all look their own deeds and then blame to others.

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manoor

Jul 03, 2015 11:24pm

PPP and ANPs Lootas should never ever be allowed to join PTI ........Please

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Dr faizan

Jul 03, 2015 11:27pm

The rats are jumping the ship.

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Naveed Javed

Jul 03, 2015 11:49pm

These people which are leaving PPP will repent one day because PPP is here to stay. Haters just wait and watch!

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RizwanWasi

Jul 03, 2015 11:52pm

Zardari must go and take a back seat in order to Save PPP. Some senior leaders like Mr. Ashan or Ms. Rehman should take the leadership role and get the party out of the turmoil. They are the Stalwarts Who Have Seen it All. With the right leadership PPP will certainly make a comeback and of course it is a Party of People. rw

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Sami

Jul 04, 2015 12:47am

Mr Zardari and PPP lost their reputation for not delivering people. During thier tenure the condition was worst. In sindh they did nothing but corruption. Now when they are losing Mr Zardari using Bilawal. Heads off to Mr Raheel Shareef for helping Pakistan getting that money back from most corrupt people in History They make money in millions in Sindh specially

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M.Saeed

Jul 04, 2015 12:50am

Goodbye---and---good riddance !

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Zia Khan

Jul 04, 2015 01:05am

@Ibrahim I think we should let these people join PTI. If they are not sincere and are looking for quick reward, they will soon find a way out themselves and as a result political process will convert them into garbage sausages which no one wants. In my view it will also be a great service of PTI.

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Syed Ganga Din

Jul 04, 2015 01:07am

Bilawal and Imran together: That should really fix everything in Pakistan. Their wisdom, foresight and knowledge of the plight of ordinary day to day Pakistanis, is an asset for this land. What a God given gift this duo is? Let me go pray for their longevity in this holy month.

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MJK

Jul 04, 2015 01:08am

What level of experience, wet behind the years Bilawal B. Zardari is going to bring to PPP ? Name PPP is misnomer , it is not the party of the people. It is Bhutto-Zardari league, a dynastic party.

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parveez

Jul 04, 2015 01:13am

Imran be smart All these people coming from other parties need to be checked with a tooth coomb Why they didn't leave when they knew their parties were in power. Be carfull or we will have another one of thousands parties

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Umer Salahuddin

Jul 04, 2015 02:26am

PTI already have lotas in shape of Qureshi and Tareen etc. on key positions of PTI. Similarly all who are quitting PPP are joining PTI and IK accepts them. These all lotas will make PTI another PPP. All those leaving PPP were ministers when PPP was in power. Now they realized that the chances for PPP to come in power are less so they are leaving it.

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MAlvi

Jul 04, 2015 02:58am

Lots of commentators are saying that Imran should not accept these corrupt people from other parties. I disagree. All politicians are basically corrupt. Where will Imran find honest ones? Imran has to have majority vote to form government. He has to have electable politicians. Once his party wins, he will form government. His people will have to follow him. They will not be able to do corruption, if Imran will not allow. I think it's ok to have electable smart people.

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Tanweer Khan

Jul 04, 2015 03:15am

@Zia Khan I hear you but respectfully disagree. As any medical doctor will tell you "Prevention is better than cure". In this case, you are saying let PTI "swallow the poison", because it eventually come out anyway. Whilst that is very true, the lasting damage it leaves the body eventually destroys the organs slowly and will ultimately kill you. So why even entertain these people in the first place. If this was a big MNC, you could argue that getting some senior people from your competitors will benefit you, as they may have some trade secrets to share - but a Lota has nothing to give and will only embarrass you time and again. Remember "A Leopard Never Changes Its Spots"

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Zak

Jul 04, 2015 03:26am

PTI should bring new faces, not jumpers off a sinking ship.

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Khanm

Jul 04, 2015 03:44am

Once Pakistan was told by another country, "We don't have any friendships. We only have interests". These are the same individuals who once joined PPP for their personal gains. They are leaving PPP now for other personal gains. Ordinary public is simple and these politicians are very smart. Please wait to see the next drama.

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Khanm

Jul 04, 2015 03:47am

@KeyPoints. Please don't even imagine to revive PPP. Haven't you had enough of them.

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Juliana Fitzwater

Jul 04, 2015 04:16am

Good riddance? Dr. Awan was part of the PPP's imbecile ministerial team from 2008 - 13. She has been part of the problem

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Uzair Ahmad Khan

Jul 04, 2015 04:23am

@Tahir A Well Said Tahir , we all remember what she said in a live interview when she was sitting next to Kashmala Tariq.

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Khan

Jul 04, 2015 04:23am

These all joining PTI have enjoyed power and money in the last PPP government but are desperate for power and therefore think that next musical chair will probably go in the favor of PTI . Opportunists !

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Wajid

Jul 04, 2015 04:26am

Credit Goes to respected asif ali zardari.

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Syed Ali

Jul 04, 2015 04:39am

@Muhammad Zafar iqbal That is million dollar question. PTI must not let these selfish politician get in; unfortunately they are welcoming these turncoats; Imran better now sorry later.

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Ahsan Gul

Jul 04, 2015 05:29am

People like Ms.Awan are making Bilaval a leader. What has he done for Pakistan?

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Sultan Alvi, Canada

Jul 04, 2015 05:36am

@Amir Mahmood She is an opportunistic politician, and PTI will not take her.

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Ziaurrehman

Jul 04, 2015 05:58am

Many joined PTI before 2013 but left when ticjet was not awarded. I believe we must let honest ppp politician join PTI.

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cmh

Jul 04, 2015 09:43am

Salute the brave lady.

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