While the move was expected, it was finally executed to create maximum political damage.
Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday quit both his National Assembly seat and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) amid rapidly unfolding changes to the country’s political landscape – bowing out with a searing speech against his former party members, in particular President Asif Ali Zardari.
Qureshi also called for other parliamentarians, particularly the opposition, to resign en-masse from the assemblies.
While announcing his resignation, Qureshi, once a contender for premiership after the 2008 elections, said the PPP has “buried Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s vision”. Qureshi said today’s PPP had become the “Zardari League” since, “All those who betrayed Shaheed BB in her life are now close to President Zardari”.
While making the announcement to end his over two-decade affiliation with the PPP, Qureshi, however did not disclose his future line of action. “I will announce my political future on November 27 in Ghotki,” he added.
Qureshi made this announcement outside the Parliament House after the first day of the 36th session of the current National Assembly was adjourned following a brief sitting to pay homage to PPP’s former chairperson the late Begum Nusrat Bhutto. Qureshi said he had wanted to make the announcement on the floor of the house but was not given the opportunity.
Qureshi also urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo motu notice and probe the much talked about secret message allegedly delivered by Pakistani-American ‘businessman’ Mansoor Ijaz, to US officials on behalf of President Zardari.
While commenting on the policies of PPP’s Co-chairman, Qureshi said “President Zardari is pursuing the politics of capitulation and has converted the doctrine of reconciliation, a salient feature of BB’s politics into a doctrine of political perpetuation.”
Qureshi also criticised the PPP’s alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) saying, “The alliance with the PML-Q is a negation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD).”
Qureshi also clarified that he himself had declined to join the federal cabinet in February this year.
Reactions
The reaction from the PPP to Qureshi’s resignation was swift and brutal. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Monday that Qureshi had written his political obituary and political wilderness was his destiny.
Dr Firdous said that his resignation from the assembly in such a manner was nothing less than a suicide attack on the democratic set-up. She said that he was physically with the PPP but mentally was following his mentor Ziaul Haq who had brought him to the political arena.
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa was equally critical of Qureshi, saying people like him only lusted after power. He said that Qureshi was going to leave the PPP when Musharraf offered him a cabinet position but the deal did not go through only because the ministry was awarded to Faisal Saleh Hayat instead.
Dr Akhtar Malik, part of a purported PPP forward bloc in the Punjab Assembly that is supporting Qureshi, said that the PPP had become a self-centred party that had lost its worth. He said that he was now awaiting Qureshi’s directions before making his next move.
(With additional input from APP)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2011.
COMMENTS (19)
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Son of zulfiqar Ali Bhutto rise
I suppose, it's a good move.
It saddened me seee that Express Tribune made such a ludicrous headline: "Another political tremor: Qureshi departs in a blaze of glory"! How come it's a tremor? Qureshi had laready left the PPP now he just made an announcement of leaving the party's basic membership! He was never a member of the core group of the PPP. How come his announcement of leaving the PPP is a tremor??????
@F Khan It s not just The Beginning of The End off coalition but to ppp's existence. Now its sure ppp is not coming back in govt Thanks to Allah for such mercy
PTI zindabad Pakistan zindabad
I don't understand the open support and political inclination of Latif Khosa towards PPP.
"Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa was equally critical of Qureshi, saying people like him only lusted after power"
I think he resigned from Foreign Minister himself due to lapses in foreign policies.
Liar, liar, pants on fire !! SMQ is turning out to be another opportunistic politician. Why didn't he join PTI before the jalsa? His lies are making his face grow fatter and fatter. Just look at the photo :-)
Express Tribune, for once be focused and simple! :)
i question Imran Khan for this move .
"Another political tremor: Qureshi departs in a blaze of glory" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Where is the blaze of glory?
A Highly Qualified "Turncoat" with legend behind him and has forefathers. You won't get that glory and grace which you had in PPP. Raymond Davis left Pakistan and so did you came out of the pedigreed farm. Establishment uses someone for a certain period. Sincerity is something which counts most. Ultimately all will be exposed about who is wheeling and dealing in this trade of turncoats.
I have respect for Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the decision he has taken. There is much more to life than being a Minister and being pushed around by a person who evidently does not have a degree.
What impact it will have on PTI: well for one it has one big name which enjoys respect for being competent and honest.He will bring some traction to PTI in South Punjab. PPP will loose out in South Punjab as 5000 votes per 10--15 constituency which Shah Mahmood can steer off will hurt.
Well done Shah Mahmood Qureishi. The move is well-timed and hoping Imran will see more of 'light of the day and darkness of night' in the implementation of his policies.
Imran Khan! This is a feather in your cap. There is a law and you stood by it. That's what is very important. The way has been by pioneered S M Qureshi and is a proud moment for all of us. Let's hope that your cap becomes a "cocktail" of multi-colered feathers.
Salams to Pakistan and your party
This could be the beginning of the end of ppp coalition.