Nawaz Sharif’s former aide Asif Kirmani resigns from PML-N

Dr Kirmani expressed disappointment over PML-N's current leadership and direction

Dr Syed Asif Kirmani, former political secretary to Nawaz Sharif, has announced his resignation from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), citing the infiltration of "non-serious and incompetent" individuals from other parties into its ranks.

Kirmani criticised the top leadership of PML-N and stated that he had distanced himself from the party's political affairs long before his resignation. He expressed disappointment over the party's decision to form a government following the February 8 general election despite allegations of rigging.

He lamented the current state of PML-N, asserting that Nawaz has been rendered helpless by the new party members. "This is not the same Nawaz Sharif I once knew," he remarked, urging the ex-prime minister to engage with the public to understand their sufferings.

Despite his departure, Kirmani maintained his respect for Nawaz and shared that he gave almost two decades of his life to the party. He also clarified that he has no plans to join any other political party, describing himself as a "born PML-N supporter".

Kirmani's resignation follows the recent exits of several senior PML-N leaders, including former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair, ex-prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and former finance minister Miftah Ismail. Abbasi and Ismail have since launched a new political party, Awaam Pakistan, which has attracted several former PML-N members.