ISLAMABAD: Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi resigned from his posts in Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the National Assembly on Monday, reported Express 24/7.
While talking to the media outside the Parliament House, Qureshi said that even though the police and all the relevant agencies were under the government, the murderers of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had still not been captured. He said that the people who turned their backs on former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto can now be seen sitting in the National Assembly.
He said that President Zardari has lost the vision that Benazir Bhutto held. She was a symbol of resistance against dictatorship and against unconstitutional rule but President Zardari has capitulated to the internal and external pressures.
He added that President Asif Ali Zardari is now seeking help from those people who had hurt Benazir Bhutto.
“I had joined the PPP under Benazir Bhutto's leadership, but this is not the same party anymore, it is Zardari’s league,” he said.
Qureshi said that he would announce his future political plans on November 27 in Gotki. He said that he will demand all the people in power to step down and will call for new elections under an independent election commission.
Qureshi had been in the PPP for the past 20 years.
Earlier it was reported that Qureshi was planning to join the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) ranks. According to sources, Qureshi was expected to resign his membership to the National Assembly before joining the party.
In a more recent report in The Express Tribune, sources suggested Qureshi has apparently not finished negotiating with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz as well.
Resignation of few people from PPP does not harm it: Raja Pervez Ashraf
Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf, responding to Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s resignation from the PPP and NA, said that the people who keep dwindling from one party to another are never considered a true part of the party by the PPP.
While speaking to the media in Islamabad on Monday, he said, “Qureshi was with Nawaz Sharif, then he joined us, and now he’s leaving us too… One should have a reason for leaving a party.”
He added that the PPP is a huge party and is present all over Pakistan. “Resignation of a few people from the party does not harm it.”
Ashraf said the current coalition government is Benazir Bhutto’s vision and the elections will be held on time. “It is not only important for the PPP, but it is also important for entire political democratic system in Pakistan that the current government completes its tenure.”
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COMMENTS (48)
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@zalim singh: Best what? If you meant a leader then God Help Pakistan! Nonetheless, considering he's the only true liberal, I'll take him. No choice, what a shame! Sad reality!!!
@F KHAN. Really you have given very good remarks. I endorse your views.
I think that was a good decision. It was correct one because he did not wanted to be a part of this corrupt set up and also it is morally done well as he has resigned from the MNA seat.So there is nothing wrong in it. IK will get entry into south punjab (saraiki belt). How dangerous it could be for PPP? Follow the news that AZ has called a meeting to discuss it in a core party leaders meeting. Anything which gives hope of this dirty reconciliation coalition setup looming near is a good omen for any pakistani.
Welcome to PTI
@Maryam: Imran Khan never called Shah M Qureshi an american foreign minister. Please investigate before u post ur comment. Ur comment is baseless & without any proof.
I respect that. Great Decision. I hope he joins PTI
Sultan of Multan !
Shah Mehmood Qureshi will Join PML N. Imran Khan has diminished his image by accepting PML-Q Turncoats who have ruined the Country when they were with Musharaf. Now the same Turncoats are joining PTI. Imran khan has left his politics of Principle by accepting time and tested candidates. Shahbaz sharif has been one of the Best Chief Minister of pakistan . His Hardwork ,Devotion and dedication was even recognized Internationally in number of forums. During flood Days when MR Zardari was visting his palace in France. It was Shahbaz sharif who visted Every nook and corner of punjab. During Dengue Epdemic he took extra pain and visted hospitals round the clock. Even Expansion and Mega projects were completed on time because of his strict administration. Kalma Chowk project was completed in record time. Ring road Project has given a new lease of Life to Congested Lahore Traffic. Now a days Canal Road expansion project is being carried out with a Fast pace in three shifts 24/7. How can Lahorites forget PML-N ??? The Face of Lahore which appears now is all Due to PML N. The work they have carried out in Lahore no one has ever carried out in past. One Rally of PTI cant dent PML-N in Lahore. For All of Lahorites including Loin still Rules........
Peoples Party has given up its ideals and its principles. It is a party of cheats, people with no sense of honor or commitment. The present group has been tasked to see that the chrisma behind Bhutto name is broken. The tales of corruption of the oligharchs who control the party put Mobutus or Marcos's to shame.
Mr. Qureshi is right is saying good bye to this party without soul.
@Maryam & all! This is the dilemma about Pakistan and the general public of this country that we continue to give opportunities to people who are upright and with clear conscience but as soon as we they come in power, we put trash on their faces and start asking them to leave the country. Imran Khan was a good ex-cricketer and a social worker, let him be! It is never necessary that we introduce him as a head of state and then bash him up after few months. Let's not lose our respect for him. Let him stay as a savior not a leader. That's irrelervant. Thank you, Nauman
GOOD GESTURES; It is a matter of great pleasure that almost all the old and sincere partymen of PPP are leaving Zardari and his companions. If we put a glance, at the very inception, how Zardari ousted the real and sincere partymen and slowly slowly, he ousted almost all the old and gold partymen like Zulfiqar Mirza, Sheri Rehman, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and many others. Where is PPP. Who are actual PPP workers/partymen. Drama is going on. Surprisingly, Mr.Khosa, Raja Pervez Ashraf and many others who are enjoying rule, are speaking about Zardari and showing their loyalities with him. How long they are sincere and dear, they should ask this question to themselves? Practically, the rulers are passing days. Insahallah time is coming when only few persons will remain and the people will see that they are nor were partymen of PPP, rather they are working on daily wages. Every day will bring a change and Inshallah God Almighty will save this country. The rulers who are claiming loyality with Zardari are factually passing their days, otherwise nothing.
As a student of political science, my opinion is that Shah Mahmood Qureshi has taken a right decision at the right time.
Those who are surrounding Mr. Asif Ali Zardari will turn their back once Mr. Asif Ali Zardari will be out of power.
Their was a little gap after the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and the date on which the elections were held i.e. December 27, 2007 and February 18, 2008.
Had there been more time for the PPP candidates they would have been divided into bits and pieces, but the PPP candidates were not left with any choice, except to follow Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, who was made Co-Chairperson of PPP after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
After all these people wanted to be the Members of the National and Provincial Assemblies, Senate and Provincial and Federal Ministers.
@nazir alam: good english
@Ali:
What a joke...
Agreed “Qureshi was with Nawaz Sharif, then he joined us, and now he’s leaving us too… One should have a reason for leaving a party.”
Election commission should announce bye election immediately. Its real opportunity to test PTI's popularity.
Zardari is the best pakistan has.
@Midhat: Nice idea... if our present is messed up let the future be... Keep it up
politice in pakistan is not anoly on the bass of theroy but allso has been around the persnality and selafe intrested therefore shah and his politice is also selafe intreste when he was the foreighn minister evry things were in right but mr zardari demand to leave the foreighn ministary due indually statement on the some foreighn affairs so shah is the same politicion as well as others in pakistan as student of political science i thank with out theroy politice is the state busniss and this busniss is very dangrious for the coming new decades so this kind of politice now should be closed from the plante of the land.
Mr.qureshi,u have a blender today.this was the repeat of ur decision when u quit PLM(N).u r the son of that family who sacrifies heads.just for a ministry u turn coat.now history will rool u like a rooling stone.
Shah Mehmood Karo Elan, I am joining Imran!!
Shah saab is a good and honest man ..I m waiting the Announcement to join neat and clean PTI ....
@faraz: So true :)
It will be difficult choice for him to make : PTI or PLM-N
My gut feel is he will join PML-N and that will be a good decision.
PTI needs to mature, have policy papers out. Where is the manifesto?. Imran Khan is a very good option as a leader but can one risk the future of the country on a person who has not even been a minister?.
Shah is looking for his pound of flesh from both PML-N and PTI. Let us see who offers him more! Another religious leader in the market for the highest bidder. He would only be cleansed if he joins PTI.
Bold step that can change the pakistan politics heat now and I wish to good luck for S M Qurachi near in the future.He is a man of principals and has been good for pakistan.Such a Bravo.....
Shah Mehmood welcome to PTI..We salute ur courage on Raymond Davis issue. As for those saying PTI should only field new candidates, PTI has to be feild 1000 candidates in next elections and of course majority of them will be new candidates. Watch the following video where Imran Khan clarifies this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmOV-GXTaUk
Cant be more better timed ................
@Maryam: LOL... you are dam right.
Sajjad Nasheen from Multan is now ready to join PTI. As soon as he join PTI, his face will be considered New. Hilariously, he is the same old foreign minister who imran khan and Media often called US foreign minister to Pakistan because of his long stays at Washington DC :)
its TOO late for him
after Enjoying term , READY for NEXT elections
Now PTI fans should remove the picture from their Facebook profiles where his head is in contact with that of chachi Hilary
After Visit of General Zameer Qureshi Saab resigned.
Everything would have been fine, if Zardari had kept you as foreign minister.
Shah Ji great. Pakistanis want you to join PTI.
Shah sahab we salute your courage on Raymond Davis issue..you stood by your zameer...Welcome to the party of revolution PTI....Inshallah the good time of Pakistanis are near...I am very happy...
Good, Pakistan's politics need this reshuffling else we would just end up voting for the same faces in the same old parties.
Good riddance!
Respects.. and salutes..
Bravo, Shah from Multan !