Jatoi tenders resignation after controversial remarks

Jatoi had faced criticism for his anti-army and judiciary remarks made earlier in the day.

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Defence Production Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi tendered his resignation reported state television on Saturday evening.

Jatoi had faced criticism for his anti-army and judiciary remarks, and had responded to criticism of his controversial statement by saying freedom of speech is everyone’s right and that he was just expressing his views.

Jatoi had said the army is not meant to kill innocent citizens and alleged that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary belonged to Faisalabad but that he used a domicile of Balochistan to become a judge. Jatoi had made the remarks when he was talking to the media after his meeting with the president of Jamhoori Watan Party Nawabzada Talal Bugti in Quetta.

Earlier, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had summoned Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi for his remarks.

Jatoi stated that everyone should be held accountable and not just the members of the Pakistan People’s Party, he also said that the Prime Minister has the right to dismiss him from his post.

Sardar Qayyum Jatoi is also known for his controversial statement on an Express News TV show, where he stated that ‘corruption is everyone’s right’.