PPP downfall: Seasoned politicians hand in resignations

Sherry Rehman steps down as the country’s envoy to the US.

Sherry Rehman ended her two-year stint as Islamabad’s top diplomat to Washington by quitting her post. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:


Following Pakistan Peoples Party’s crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections, some of its senior leaders have tendered their resignations, accepting responsibility for the party’s dismal showing.


On Tuesday, Sherry Rehman ended her two-year stint as Islamabad’s top diplomat to Washington by quitting her post.

Rehman, who was also a former member of the National Assembly and the ex-information minister, was assigned the key diplomatic post in 2011 after her predecessor, Hussain Haqqani, resigned over the memogate scandal.

A spokesperson for the Pakistani Embassy in Washington confirmed her resignation.

“Congratulating the new parliament on its election, Ambassador Sherry Rehman has sent in her resignation to the PM,” the embassy said on its official Twitter account early Tuesday Pakistan Standard Time.


Manzoor Wattoo resigns as PPP Punjab president

Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, president of PPP’s central Punjab chapter, also submitted a letter of resignation to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accepting failure in performing his duties.

Wattoo accepted responsibility for PPP’s defeat in the general elections in Punjab. He listed the problems of water and electricity scarcity, economic instability and media trials as the reasons for defeat.

Senator Aitzaz Ahsan offers resignation

Senior PPP leader and Senator Barrister Aitazaz Ahsan also offered his resignation from the upper house of parliament on Tuesday.

According to Aitzaz, voting results were bizarre as some polling stations had recorded a 150% voter turnout.

Results given by the Election Commission of Pakistan should be reviewed, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2013.
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