PML-N faces another setback as senior leader jumps ship

Asif Kirmani reveals that he distanced himself from political affairs of Nawaz Sharif’s party for a long time

Former political secretary to ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Dr Asif Kirmani, has officially announced to quit the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) following critical remarks about the party's leadership.

Kirmani revealed that he has distanced himself from the political affairs of Nawaz Sharif’s party for a long time, criticizing that while people are suffering from high electricity bills and inflation, a faction of party leaders was cheering the rulers on their "ineffective governance".

The senior politician did not indicate any intention to join another party. Kirmani, who was pivotal during the PML-N’s 2013 electoral campaign, also mentioned that he would soon issue a detailed statement regarding his decision to leave the party.

His departure follows a recent trend of high-profile exits from the party, including last month's resignation of Abbas Khan Afridi and the formation of a new party, Awaam Pakistan, by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-finance minister Miftah Ismail.

This new party has attracted several ex-PML-N stalwarts, intensifying the challenges faced by Nawaz Sharif’s leadership.