PTI minister Azam Swati resigns 'to uphold moral authority'
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati, who is being probed over allegations that he played a role in the transfer of a former capital police chief, tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday.
"To uphold my moral authority, I sent my resignation to the PM [and told him] that I cannot work under these conditions," Swati said.
"Now I will defend my case without any portfolio or authority."
Swati, a member of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), is currently facing a case in the Supreme Court over accusation that he had influenced the transfer of former Islamabad Inspector General of Police Jan Mohammad.
The police official's transfer took place after Swati’s son had registered a case against a family of slum dwellers for allegedly trespassing on his family’s land. Five people, including two women, were arrested for trespassing on the land and beating up Swati’s guards.
They were released after a day’s detention as police said a settlement had been reached between the minister and the detained family.
The altercation, coupled with the IGP's transfer, had caught the attention of the media as well as the apex court.
The SC at one point had pondered taking action against Swati under Article 62 of the Constitution before forming a joint investigation team to probe the case.
On November 19, the court-formed JIT had held Swati and his employees responsible for the altercation that took place at his farmhouse and allegedly transpired into the police chief's transfer.
Swati, regarding the IGP's transfer, had earlier disclosed that the police chief was contacted on his mobile phone after making 38 calls and he promised action on his complaint against the neighbours. The next day, he had said, the IGP was approached again to get a follow-up and in response he replied: “No one has talked to you yet?”
On his attitude, “I lodged complaints with the prime minister, the Senate chairman, leader of the house and the state minister for interior,” the minister had said.
While this episode was unfolding, it had appeared that Swati's family may have been encroaching upon government land, following which the Capital Development Authority had issued Swati's wife, the owner of the property, a notice to remove encroachments and unauthorised construction from her farmhouse in 15 days.
Swati is the second member of Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet to have tendered resignation. Earlier it was Babar Awan, who had to resign from the post of adviser to the premier on parliamentary affairs after the National Accountability Bureau filed a corruption reference over his alleged involvement in inordinate delay in construction of the 525MW Nandipur power plant
Comments (90) Closed
Credit goes to Supreme Court. Just decision.
new Pakistan!
I don't condone what he did - but this is a good step. Ministers never resigned in the "purana Pakistan" no matter what
Well done PTI.
Azam Swati needs to sort his case out.
Never, ever saw that happen with the PML N or PPP.
Good decision.
Welcome to New Pakistan
This is a great the Swati has done by tendering his resignation good for establishing a positive civil society
Well had the opposition not pressure he would have continued.no to corruption.
Well done.
Great decision by the P.T.I.'s federal minister to tender his resignation due to an on-going case against him in the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In fact, it seldom happens in any South Asian country in general and Middle Eastern nations in particular that in the name of fairplay and true justice, a federal minister accused of something wrong in the highest court of law tenders his or her resignition so that, his or her position does not interfere in the due process of law.
Good. Let this be a precedent for any and all govt servant including parliamentarians and senators. You cannot keep serving in that position if your moral authority is compromised as was the case here.
Good decision
After Babar Awan, this is the second one resigning. Never happened in the governments of previous kings!
He should have taken this decision long before the issue caught the media and apex court attention.
Better late than never. You should have done this before as it has caused embarrassment
Atleast he lived upto pti commitment. Laud him for this move
Atleast resigned. And then you have the likes of Rana Sanaullah.
Well done Sir! Will hopefully see you back soon after clearing your name. PTI zindabad.
PTI should fine him too!
Naya Pakistan!
Good riddance to a bully politican.. not welcomed in naya Pakistan
That's wicket number 1
Atleast he resigned than there are PMLN ministers
It is rare that a man in our shaded political environment admits a mistake and step down from a ministerial position.
Well done Chief Justice. Well done Azam Swati. Well done PTI. Nothing has changed after Swati resignation. But it is beginning of new era. Rule of Justice will prevail.
See thats the change in previous and new gvt. Good decision indeed. I remember model town case incident when Rana Sanullah stood in while there was great chances of demotion. In all previous gvt they stand to save their chairs but not the country.
admit your faults, right wrongs, pay fines, and apologize publically if you have any morals, sir. Otherwise, you have no moral authority. the cat is out of the bag.
That's called transparency and being held to account., Not many people have the guts to resign in any Pakistani government, just so they can defend themselves and clear their good name, without any conflicts of interest or undue influences, improprieties or distractions.
Credibility and integrity is more valuable in the end, than any position of power or portfolio.
Is this the 3rd wicket to fall in this government’s infancy? When is the finance minister going home? This is what happens when IK compromises on principles and picks associates who are incompetent. And when the next government takes over they will tell us that the incompetents were corrupt too!
@Qaiser Ahmed, he did not admit any mistake yet.
The fight was between a powerful minister and a poor family from Bajaur. Minister had to resign. This is Naya Pakistan.
@Saood, Where did you find the opoosition in this whole story?
@Dr Haroon, Babar Awan also did the same.
Its Naya Pakistan. No one can do this even myself.
Right move. Sets good precedent.
Credit goes to CJP of Pakistan, otherwise you are not different from other politicians of Pakistan.
Too late, he had no option but to tender his resignation in view of pending CJP action. Mr Imran Khan must terminate his membership from PTI as well.
No he is total fraud. Fugitive in usa
Good start and good direction.
we are waiting for the resignation of Zulfi Bukhari as well
He resigned knowing that he would be disqualified. I hope Sc disqualified him to serve justice.
This one could not have imaged in Old Pakistan. Welcome to Naya Pakistan. Well done PM Imran Khan.
And then came moral authority after political authority.
someone may have resigned somewhere, bu it has nothing to do with your group which lacks moral authority, therefore there isn't much to uphold. just sayin'
You being in the Govt., you should have treated the people who put you in this place with respect. No more goons please in the Govt., shall be entertained. Whatever the situation, there are ways to address issues to people.
Probably JIT report is against him therefore he resigned before SC dismisses him or disqualify him under article 62. Regardless, it is good step.,
PML-N ministers killed, looted and plundered...but there was never a resignation.. Well done PTI and well done PM Khan!!
Good step in right direction, thanks CJP for highlighting real issues. Now he should apologize to poor family who was disgraced due to his authority.
@RT, one reason why it did not happen in PML N govt, they did not have such con man in federal cabinet who would do things like what Swati sahab did as a senator, federal minister and senior party leader.
Moral values came too late.
This must be appreciated. Only an honest party would dare to do this. Respect
@Tanvir, One has to sort out matters before leaving a position. That requires time.
When will he resign from his senate seat?
@Rizwan,
Most "con man in federal cabinet" of PMLN are facing trials.
Wake up!
@Naveed, What has the finance minister done wrong?
He is a capable and competent person who is doing a wonderful job under the present economic condition and trying to steer the country towards economic stability and permanent development in future.
What goes around comes around.
You should have done this resignation at least a month ago, anyhow good gesture and example.
Why no complete background check is done before posting anyone in cabinet??
Always we have episodes to hear and see....
That may not be enough.
Almost everyone is applauding minister resignation, it remains to be seen Justice will be done. Let it be example for powerful and influentials.
It's awesome that Pakistan's government is creating standards and examples for next government. Not sure how great PTI government is performing but they up lifting the standards and right ethics in politics. This is awesome step towards good political environment.
What has Azam Sawati got to do with the Ministry of Science & Technology anyway. In this when Science & Technology has been at the forefront of not only human advancement but economic powress and a nations strength, we have people like Azam Sawati leading that portfolio who probably never went to any Science & Technology conference, nor have an advanced degree in a STEM field or probably couldn't even name who formed the World Wide Web. Imran Khan always said that his team building is his number one asset and he knows how to form the best team but unfortunately it is only shady characters like Azam Swati, Babar Awan and the likes, that are in the team besides a few good ones like Atif, Asad and Iqbal.
Well done ....doing the right thing by our leaders is something we have not seen in a long long time.
Azam Swati is such a shame on PTI.
It is for the benefits of the PTI and current government to step up and remove Swati.
Azam Swati is such a shame on PTI gov.
Welcome decision. Naya Pakistan is here, Naya Pakistan Zindabad.
This would have never, never, never happened under the PML(N) or the PPP governments. This is the "Naya Pakistan" we have been talking about. Imran Khan's PTI is setting good examples, first Babar Awan & now Azam Swati.
Babar Awan, now Azam Swati and more to follow . Speaks volumes of the abilities of the person who in the first place selected them for his team!!
@bhaRAT©, . It would never have happened but for the impeding action by the Supreme Court Shall we ever learn to give the credit where it is due.
Credit goes to Imran Khan for upholding the justice system in the country. Wish other politicians could do the same
@wow, not PTI sir its Supreme Court.
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Alhamdulillah our courts are showing courage. Azam Swati tried his best to stay in power and PTI or IK did not take any step either. Now when he realized that situation can get worst, therefore, he decided to save face.
Good. Now let him be tried publicly in a court of law and given his due punishment, as deserved.
In the past ministers were always treated above law. Two PTI minister facing court have resigned setting up a very rare example in Pakistan poilitics
Swati took the right decision.
This is a real change and visible, haven't seen before. Justice prevails. Love you IK.
@Baloch,
Mr. Baloch,
You are right.
Mr. Azam Swati must be disqualified.
There is no other way.
Learn something from this new way of governance O you morally corrupt N league & it’s some self indulging selfish media personalities ... indeed Naya Pakistan....well done PM Imran Khan
Mr.Sawati please disclose your past.
Rana Sana Ullah, Shahbaz Sharif are you listening? Remember massacre of TuQ's followers in Model Town.
Check roots of this disgraced politician. From where he started his career in politics. Who was his mentor, who groomed him im politics. Everything will fell into proper perspective.
This is Naya Pakistan for you ... long live IK
@TARIQ SHEIKH,
And who ,despite what you say, recruited him as federal minister?
He needs to be disqualified like others have been. Just resigning is not the same as accountability. He needs to be held fully accountable.
Change coming absolutely, love it.
This incident will bring an end to his political career. Each powerful person in Pakistan does the same which he did with poor neighbors.
You are a little late. But even so, we will give you passing grade Mr Swati.