Humayun Akhtar parts ways with PTI

Senior politician and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Humayun Akhtar Khan, the son of General Akhtar Abdur Rahman, on Thursday parted ways with the former ruling party.

"From the creation of Pakistan to this day, our family has had an enduring connection with the Pakistan Army, and we take pride in the martyrdom of General Akhtar Abdul Rahman,” he was quoted as saying by the local media in a statement.

He said that the sacrifices and blood of the martyrs will never be forgotten by the nation. “The events of May 9 have deeply saddened our family, just like the entire nation. Being a descendant of a martyr myself, the damage inflicted on the memorials of the martyrs was a source of immense pain for me, and no matter how much it is condemned it will remain insufficient."

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Khan stated that under the circumstances, it is no longer possible for him to remain a part of PTI, therefore, he is announcing his departure from the former ruling party.

He emphasised, "The people of Pakistan have always held immense respect for the armed forces of Pakistan, and I am confident that this affectionate bond between the nation and its guardians will remain strong."

Khan joins a long list of PTI members who quit the party after the events of May 9 and heightened crackdowns against party leaders by law enforcement agencies.

Read PTI leaders on a legal rollercoaster

Other leaders who quit the former ruling party include Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, Malik Amin Aslam, Mahmood Moulvi, Amir Kayani, Jai Prakash, Aftab Siddiqui, Sanjay Gangwani, Ghulam Sarwar Khan and others.

Chaos broke out across the country on May 9 when protestors took to the streets in retaliation to the PTI chief’s arrest from Islamabad High Court premises by troops of the paramilitary Rangers.

Rioters resorted to vandalism of state property including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House) and the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

The government blocked internet services for four days in a bid to quell protests, restricted access to social media in the days that followed and has launched a severe crackdown against suspects allegedly involved in the rioting.

Several PTI leaders have broken away from the party since then with some renouncing politics altogether. Several of these leaders announced their decisions after multiple arrests and detentions.