Pakistan

Malik Amin Aslam, another PTI leader jump ship

Says events of May 9 reflect 'agenda' he could never be a part of; Dr Muhammad Amjad also quits party

News Desk May 18, 2023

Dr Amjad (L) and Malik Amin Aslam (R). PHOTO: File

Former federal minister and adviser to PM on climate change Malik Amin Aslam and party's deputy information secretary Dr Mohammad Amjad announced their decision to leave Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday.

Aslam made the declaration while addressing a press conference in Islamabad saying the events of May 9 reflected an "agenda" that he could never be a part of.

"This is the sort of agenda that fulfils the dreams of our enemies and I cannot work with the party under such circumstances," he said, expressing his "shock" over the violent protests that followed PTI chief Imran Khan's arrest.

"We did not even spare the monuments of our martyrs," he regretted, observing that all PTI protestors targeted military installations.

"Our leadership should have initiated an inquiry," he said. He also told reports that he was under no duress to quit the party.

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Separately, Dr Amjad also decided to part ways with the PTI and is expected to hold a press conference this evening to make the announcement.

The resignations come a day after MNA Aamer Mehmood Kiani and Sindh lawmakers Sanjay Gangwani and Karim Gabol announced their decision to leave the party as well.

Earlier, Mahmood Baqi Maulvi also quit the party, citing his differences with the party’s stance against the country’s military.

Reacting to the development, PTI's Babar Awan suggested that the politicians jumping ship would not be missed and encouraged party supporters to remain hopeful.

خارزارِ سیاست میں لیڈر مزاحمت سے بنتے ہیں۔ سیاسی جدوجہد اتار چڑھاؤ کا نام ہے۔ مشکل ترین دور میں تحریکِ انصاف میں سینکڑوں دلیر نوجوان لیڈر ابھرے۔ جو حضرات چلے گئے اُن کی جگہ بھی نوجوان قیادت آئے گی۔
امیدِ صبحِ جمال رکھنا! خیال رکھنا!
— Babar Awan (@BabarAwanPK) May 18, 2023

In a tweet, Awan said that "...in politics, leaders are made by resistance. Political struggle is the name of ups and downs."

"Hundreds of courageous young leaders emerged in the ranks of the PTI during the party's most difficult period yet," he said, adding that "those who left will be replaced by young leadership."