Dr Asim. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Though the impression is being given that Dr Asim is going abroad for medical treatment and will be given a new assignment on his return, sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that many leaders of PPP’s Karachi division were against the decision to appoint Dr Asim as president.
"He had no idea about the party's organisational structure. Everyone was against him. But his recent meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar paved the way to serve him with a show-cause notice, conveying the message to leave the coveted position of Karachi division head," a senior PPP leader revealed on the condition of anonymity.
Dr Asim, however, claimed that he had held the meeting with Sattar on the instructions of PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari. However, Zardari’s sister and MNA Faryal Talpur, who actually manages the party in Sindh, denied that her brother had ever done so.
SC allows Dr Asim to travel abroad for medical treatment
Sources said that the Karachi division's former president, Najmi Alam, and incumbent secretary-general MPA Saeed Ghani were among others who played a role in Dr Asim’s removal.
In November 2016, he was appointed president of the party’s Karachi chapter on Zardari’s instructions. Zardari is considered a close friend of the former petroleum adviser who is being tried in corruption cases.
Dr Asim was in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) when he was given the post in the party. According to party leaders, the decision was aimed at gaining political mileage and disseminating a message internationally that, with the arrest of its leader, the PPP was being victimised.
"In the initial days he was not happy with the party position," a PPP leader said, adding, "When I congratulated him on being appointed Karachi division president he was unhappy about it."
According to the senior party leader, when he asked Dr Asim about his apparent annoyance over being congratulated, he had replied, "Please congratulate someone else. I am not interested in it."
Sources said that differences also emerged between Ghani and Dr Asim over a number of matters, but the party’s leadership avoided touching the matter and asked Dr Asim to continue his work.
"He also failed to reorganise the party in Karachi. He has never even visited any area and hardly held meetings with workers, which showed his lack of interest in politics," a Karachi division leader of the party complained.
Dr Asim meets Farooq Sattar, 'conveys Zardari's special message'
The spokesperson for Bilawal House refuted the internal rift and instead quoted PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari saying he appreciated Dr Asim’s services for the party.
Bilawal’s message stated that Dr Asim worked dedicatedly for the PPP as its Karachi division president despite his poor health that deteriorated during his incarceration.
"After completion of treatment abroad, Dr Asim will be given a new and important assignment upon his return to utilise his services for the party," Bilawal said.
Sources said Ghani, who has recently won the by-election in Mehmoodabad, thereby defeating the MQM candidate, is a strong candidate to replace Dr Asim.
"Saeed Ghani is currently secretary-general of the Karachi division. He will soon be appointed party head in Karachi," a party leader predicted.
Dr Asim's spokesperson, however, said he was going abroad for medical treatment due to incessant pain in his backbone. He vowed to continue working for the PPP upon his return.
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