ISLAMABAD: Senator Azam Khan Swati resigned from the membership of both the upper house and his Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party on Wednesday in what he claimed was a protest against unbridled corruption and an “irrelevant” parliament.
The senator had pursued the Hajj corruption case in the Supreme Court relentlessly, which ultimately forced the government to sack former religious affairs minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi last year.
While talking to the media, he said he did not want to be part of a parliament that could not assert authority.
“I don’t think sitting in this parliament is of any use anymore,” Khan said, announcing his decision just four months ahead of completing a six-year term as a member of Senate.
But officials in Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s JUI-F told The Express Tribune that Swati left the party after being informed that there won’t be any chance for him to get re-elected when fresh elections are held for half of the upper house’s seats early next year.
Swati, who is also an entrepreneur, was elected as a member of Senate from the JUI-F ticket back in 2006 and his six-year term is set to expire in March 2012.
After submitting his resignation to the Senate secretariat, Swati urged other parliamentarians to resign as well “because parliament was being used for rubberstamping the decisions taken somewhere else”.
Joining PTI
Though Swati himself denied it, speculations are afloat that the senator might join Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), which has seen a remarkable jump in popularity in recent months.
“We had some indications in recent weeks that Swati was getting close to Imran and he might be thinking of joining him,” said a top leader of the JUI-F who requested not to be named.
“I don’t have any differences with the party,” Swati said regarding the JUI-F but did not offer any comment when an explanation was sought on whether he was actually planning to join the PTI.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2011.
COMMENTS (49)
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@Maryam:
Aren't all of us turncoats? We use lux at one time and safeguard at another. Vote for the popular local hero at one time and then PML (N) in other. Want to become engineer at childhood, but go on to become a doctor. Perceptions change with time.
@Muhammad, this is exactly what Mad said. Mad used irony, a concept also termed tanz. Unless their is actual evidence of fraud it is wrong to slander people.
@MAD: The individual just sued Mr.Swati and his company; he wasn't accused of any fraud. Please read the case description again. Thank you!
@sid:
July 13 Chantel Laurent vs. Swati Enterprises Inc. et al PA - Hohn Carwile, J - Bob Wortham Last month Chantel Laurent paid a visit to EZ Washateria in Port Arthur for "business purposes." When she entered the store, an unhinged door fell on her, causing Laurent to suffer serious and permanent injuries, plus mental anguish. Seeking to recover more than $50,000 in damages, Laurent filed a personal injury lawsuit against Swati Enterprises Inc. and Mohammad Azam Swati, the washateria's owners. Case No. A179-658
wow what a big fraud.
PTI will welome you as it is likely to be a healthy addition in the party
@Habib: I have no desire to argue reputation since I know little about him but, one thing stood out. Wealthy people are usually the ones most fond of power. They like being exceptions to rules the most.
He is a patriot he gave up his american nationality for pakistan and people of pakistan unlike the rest of politicians .. and yes he is clean and no allegation against him very good addition to PTI very wellcome to PTI caravan waiting for marvi memon now :-)
He has a reputation of being an honest man which matters. Also, during his tenure as a Minister and a senator he didnot get any salaries, allowances and other perks on his own request. Will be a good boost for PTI in Hazara. Goodluck
welcome to PTI sir.
People like Mr Azam Swati has no place in pakistan politics. One has to be a corrupt, selfish, devoid of sense of patriotism etc. etc.to be a member of pakistan parliament. Mr Swati has no such traits of personal character. He is an honest and right thinking person and has proved this during his short parliamentary life. We salute to people like you Mr. Swati.
We accept that Mr Swati was clean minister.It was due to JUI that he was not allowed to do any kind of corruption.JUI platform enable him to not involve in such things.When he exposed Haj scam, he was sacked from ministry.So his leader mulana Fazal Rahman left the government and gave the nation a message that we are with honest people and for such people we can go up to any point and can make any kind of sacrifice.
But i am trying to understand his resignation from JUI because the party stand with him in his stand against corruption. So then why he ressigned from the JUI that give weightage and help him to make his voice loud against the corruption. He is fool or consider that we, the Pakistani are. Let see him what he will do if he quit JUI and join any other party. If he decide to join any other party, he will be like Javed Ibrahem Parach.
I am from the same area where Mr swati is from, he is very honest and up-right person. I am so happy to see him saying good bye to JUI and even happier to see him thinking to join PTI, the party of the future. Well-done Azam Swati saab and welcome to PTI.
I am not thinking about his resignation, but guessing his intention. He is the most wealthier of Pakistani Politicians. The most educated as one of my friend pointed out above and Also have declared his assets. Having such a huge amount of wealth I feel he is not fond of power. He want to do some social type of work. He once in a program called Imran a friend. I think for him, the best place to stand is PTI. Rest of the parties are family enterprises and doing politics like Saudis.
Swati is good but I still wait for Marvi to pitch in!!!
Marvi: If u reading this lets cut our egos and join the party...
Magnet of 30 October jalsa of PTI is still working.
Time to move to Greener pastures ........
He should join PTI. Haj Corruption Affairs were disclosed by him.Probably JUi( F) did not want it.
B.A from Post Graduate College Abbottabad, NWFP (Pakistan) M.A (Economics) University of Peshawar (Pakistan) LL.B (Bachelor of Law) Gold Medalist, University of Karachi (Pakistan) M.A Political Science from University of Karachi (Pakistan) LL.M University of Houston Law Center (Houston,Texas-USA) Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) South Texas College of Law (Houston, Texas-USA) Texas State Bar Certified Attorney at Law.
At least he is educated and has not bought or displayed mail order/honorary degrees. His record in Government has been clean and he did not keep quiet when he witnessed corruption.
The other day we will hear that Altaf Hussain resigns as the MQM leader. Weighs wings for joining PTI. That will be much fun.
For all who don't know please go and research first before giving out comments. Mr Swati is a big fraud in the USA. He defaulted and there are cases pending against him. He ran away to pakistan and is now joining PTI. May god help Imran Khan.
@Lala Jie: That's what all politicians do in the end! This is dirty politics of Pakistan.
Sawati would be "clean" and sanitized after he joins the King's Party. On the other hand the rightwing mullah character of PTI would be further enhanced. A grand rightwing alliance is in the formation.
Ohh...Common Swati... don't fool us... Your membership of Senate was to end in March... so what is the big deal. You chose to leave Senate three months before the due time, and you want us to believe that you resigned for principles... Common...
You have delcared assets, but how did you become Rich in this country.. where did you get all the wealth from? Come Clean...
Wellcome to PTI Mr.Swati......PTI Zindabad
No politician who has fought elections under the flag of another political party in the past election should be given a ticket for his/her new party until after sitting out one General Election to demonstrate loyalty to the new party and not to personal ambitions.
well done sawati........
Mr. Swati is a courageous person. Even being in govtl he disclosed Hajj scam, spoke against the PM and his son and finally lost his seat. Must go for PTI.
Good move - will be a brilliant addition to the PTI
After enjoying the perks and privileges for the most part of his tenure which is going to end in march 2012,suddenly swati remembers that the govt has done nothing for the common man except for piling up huge external and internal debt.Mr swati ,the People of Pakistan have finally woken up and can now distinguish between genuine leaders and political opportunists.Political actors of ur genre can no longer fool us.
Why Azam Swati left one of the talk show with Javed Chaudhry in Kal Tak when his corruption stories were exposed ?
It will be good for the country if he joins PTI
Don't tell me he TOO is going in PTI! :/
All the competent, conscientious, honest people joining the caravan of PTI... Next ones are likely to be Marvi Memon to be followed by Khurshid Kasuri, Mushahi Hussain. Good Luck PTI.....
Hmmmmm
Well done.
Wellcome to PTI Mr.Swati
Will be a good addition to PTI......!
Will be a good addition to PTI.......
Swati,is a highly qualified/educated man and one of the richest/cleanest politicians in pakistan.He surrendered his US nationality when elected for the Senate seat.He is a pretty rich man and the interesting thing is that he made public his assets,which if you have a look at,are huge..An honest man,who has nothing to fear,has nothing to hide..Goodluck Swati,you are a rare commodity and i always used to think what r u doing in JUI-F!
Probably ,he is eyeing on the next Chief Ministership of KPK. A big boost for PTI in District Mansehra if he joins IK where Mr. Swati has a lot of political influence. He used his money to announce himself at the political map of Pakistan. Most probably, he bought Senate ticket from JUI. Perception about him is that he is not corrupt but definitely fame/power hungry.
PPP is not his cup of tea. Capt(r) Safdar(PML-N) is his political rival. He just divorced JUI. There is a rival PML-Q group let by Sardar Yusuf . Moreover he wants to move up the political ladder. PTI would be his natural choice.
Well he is clean as far as corruption goes. wasnt he the one who pulled the curtain on the Hajj scandal.
Mr Swati's Action is in right direction.... but one cant say anything for his "Intention". Lets see whats happened.