May 9 vandalism: Mahmood Maulvi quits PTI in protest, resigns from NA seat

Says his reason for leaving is PTI’s stance against military, and that combatting the army is unjustifiable

KARACHI:

Mahmood Maulvi, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and lawmaker elected from Karachi, has announced his resignation from the party and his seat in the National Assembly, saying combatting the military is not justifiable in any way no matter the cause.

Maulvi made the announcement on Tuesday during a press conference in Karachi, stating that his reason for leaving PTI was the party’s stance against the military.

"I cannot go against the military of my country. Whatever happened was wrong; without the military, this country cannot function. Political parties can change, but the military cannot,” he said.

“I am ready to sacrifice everything for the military. Even India could not do what these people have done," he added.

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Maulvi clarified that he has not decided on joining any other party.

"To this day, no one can say that I have deceived anyone. I did not enter politics to make money. No one can prove a single rupee's worth of corruption against me. I declined Canadian citizenship; I want to leave this world with dignity," he added.

The former MNA urged all political parties to break the idol of fear, suggesting that those involved in chaos should be punished.

He further stated, "My style is not to dirty others in politics. I have never indulged in the politics of violence."

Maulvi emphasised that those inciting the public should be punished. “I am not pointing my finger at Imran Khan. My software has not been updated,” he said.

It should be noted that Mahmood Maulvi was a Member of the National Assembly from NA-245 for PTI and served as an advisor on maritime affairs during the PTI’s tenure.