Firdous, Haq among other notables quit PTI

Murad Raas, Saifullah Niazi and Jamal Akbar Ansari also abandon party

LAHORE:

Renowned members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party are continuing to abandon the former ruling party following the events of May 9.

The latest to distance themselves from the party are Firdous Ashiq Awan, Murad Raas, Abrarul Haq, Saifullah Niazi and Jamal Akbar Ansari, who made the announcement of parting ways with the PTI on Friday.

Firdous playfully greeted the reporters with "good to see you", acknowledging that this phrase had become popular among the public.

She explained her decision to leave the party, saying that PTI chief Imran Khan's agenda had become detrimental to the nation.

She emphasised that her political focus centered around serving humanity, which was the reason she had initially joined the PTI.

She expressed her commitment to work for the betterment of the country but expressed regret that certain elements were misguiding the PTI chief while national security agencies were combating terrorism.

She also claimed that significant funds from the national treasury were used to manipulate the youth and tarnish the country's institutions.

Raas also held a news conference in Lahore alongside other leaders, including Pir Ahmad Khagga, Raja Yawar Kamal, and Chaudhry Adnan, where he voiced his dissatisfaction with the party.

Raas blamed Imran's advisers in Lahore for the party's current predicament, stating that the PTI's politics of violence was not something he believed in.

Raas and other politicians present at the conference announced their decision to form a group to continue working for Pakistan's progress.

Moreover, Haq, while speaking to the media in Lahore, expressed that the condemnation of the events of May 9 was widespread and hardly anyone remained unaffected.

Having been raised in a military family, Haq shared that from childhood, his parents instilled a sense of patriotism, and he took pride in hearing stories of martyrs.

He had always aspired to join the army, feeling an emotional attachment to the sacrifices made by heroes like Rashid Minhas Shaheed and Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed.

He said that he even prayed for martyrdom at the Holy Kaaba.

Reflecting on his social work endeavours, Haq expressed disappointment that his dream of enacting social change through politics seemed unlikely to be realised. Consequently, he deemed it a waste of time to continue in a field that would not effectively benefit the people. He firmly declared his intention to distance himself from all forms of politics.

During the news conference, he also recited a song in support of Pakistan and Pakistan Army, further expressing his devotion to the country.

Further, two other notable departures from the PTI are Saifullah Niazi and Jamal Akbar Ansari. Niazi cited the need to focus on his health as the reason for his departure and expressed condemnation of the events of May 9, highlighting that even Islam did not allow damage to public property.

As the crackdown intensified, numerous PTI leaders, including close confidants of Imran, began defecting from the party, leading to what the former prime minister referred to as "forced divorces."

Despite some leaders being temporarily released on court orders, many were re-arrested, indicating that the crackdown showed no signs of easing.

Prominent PTI figures such as Shireen Mazari, Aamir Kiani, Amin Aslam, Mahmood Moulvi, Aftab Siddiqui, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and others have announced their departure from the former ruling party.

Asad Umar, a close aide of the PTI chief, resigned from his posts as the secretary-general and core committee member, citing the ongoing situation. His decision came shortly after Fawad Chaudhry, another trusted confidant of Imran, also quit the PTI.

However, senior PTI leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mehmoodur Rasheed have expressed their continued support for the party chief, reaffirming their commitment to remain with the PTI.

Yasmin explicitly denied the rumours of her departure from the PTI and voiced her support for Imran, stating that despite the challenges, she stood firmly by his side.