ISLAMABAD: Two more leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) — Ajmal Wazir and Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah — parted ways with the party on Saturday, claiming that after the incidents of May 9 it was not possible for them to stay in the party.

The two leaders held separate press conferences at the National Press Club and levelled similar allegations against the party leadership.

Former spokesperson for the KP chief minister and adviser on information Ajmal Wazir said he was shocked after seeing the treatment with the sculpture of martyred Captain Karnal Sher Khan who sacrificed his life for the nation.

He said, unfortunately, Imran Khan believed what he was told by some people. He said protests were launched without realising that they will further enhance the sufferings of the people already facing difficulties due to rising inflation.

Ajmal Wazir, Zulfiqar Ali Shah part ways citing May 9 incident as reason behind decision

Mr Wazir said he had an option to condemn the riots held on May 9, but it would have been violation of the party discipline so he decided to quit the party.

He suggested that all political parties should take pity on the country as Pakistan should be their first priority.

He said he had joined PTI on May 18, 2018, while elections were held on May 25. He said at that time Imran Khan had said he (Wazir) was late otherwise he would have got the ticket for the elections.

“I told Imran Khan that I did not join the party for the ticket. I had joined the party to serve people. However, later, I became the first person to face a fake leaked audio. I had joined the PTI with a vision but after the incidents of May 9 it has become impossible for me to stay in the party. I am quitting the party because Pakistan is more important for me than the party and its position,” Mr Wazir said.

In another presser, PTI leader Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah also announced to quit the party.

He said he wanted to serve the country by joining the PTI but time had come to select the party or the country.

“I served as the tehsil nazim for over nine years but no one levelled any allegation of corruption against me. I did development work on demands of both my opponents and supporters. In the past, we had heard a slogan of Idhar Ham Udhar Tum but we cannot afford such a slogan again,” he said.

“I am sure I will face criticism on social media that I left the party in a crucial/difficult time, but I am not anti-state and cannot go against the country. I don’t have dual nationality so I even cannot go abroad. As my stakes are in Pakistan, I want it to prosper. I have decided to resign from the party position,” he said.

Mr Shah suggested that political parties should not go to an extent from where it would become impossible for them to return. Moreover, he said, respect should be given to opponents and their point of view should also be listened.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2023