Miftah dismisses reports of joining PPP

Former finance minister says he has ‘stepped back’ from politics for now

Former finance minister Miftah Ismail refuted speculations on Monday that he is set to join the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). While addressing the reports, Ismail clarified that he has currently taken a “step back” from active politics.

Miftah had resigned from his position as the General Secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh in June of this year. He was openly critical of PML-N's economic policies, particularly after Ishaq Dar assumed control of the finance ministry after the former's resignation.

Amidst differences with PML-N, Ismail, along with former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-PPP leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, initiated a nationwide discourse named "Reimagining Pakistan." The initiative aimed to address a range of pressing issues that they felt had not received sufficient attention since the country's independence. The trio organised numerous seminars in various cities to engage in these discussions.

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Reports, citing sources, had suggested that the PPP was in advanced stages of negotiations with the PML-N leader, and an official announcement of Miftah Ismail joining the PPP was imminent.

However, Ismail, taking to X, dismissed these claims. In a statement, he said, "There was a newspaper report in Tribune today and a TV report yesterday that I am going to join PPP. The news is not true. I have for now stepped back from politics and am not joining any political party."

There was a newspaper report in Tribune today and a tv report yesterday that I am going to join PPP.

The news is not true.

I have for now stepped back from politics and am not joining any political party.

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) December 4, 2023

In October, Dr Farooq Sattar, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), had extended an invitation to the former finance minister to join the MQM-P ranks. Sattar visited Miftah at his residence in Karachi to discuss the potential collaboration.