Rift in PML-F: Imtiaz Shaikh’s resignation accepted

Party’s general secretary tendered resignation amid reports of internal dispute within ranks of party in Sindh.

KARACHI: The internal wrangling in the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) came to surface on Saturday when the party’s provincial chief Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi accepted the resignation of his party general secretary Imtiaz Shaikh.

Shaikh had tendered the resignation amid reports of dispute within the ranks of the party in Sindh. Later everyone, including Imtiaz Shaikh himself, announced that Pir Pagara had not accepted his resignation.

Addressing a press conference at the residence of Kamran Tessori, who has now been appointed as media coordinator of the party, Rashdi said: “Imtiaz Shaikh has served for more than 22 months as secretary general of the party. He has resigned citing his personal engagements.”

“I will ask our MPA Jam Madad Ali to take over as parliamentary leader of the party in the Sindh Assembly, if Shaikh is now too busy,” he said while nominating Rashid Ali Khan for the slot of acting secretary general of the party in Sindh.

Sources in the party told The Express Tribune that differences between Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi and Imtiaz Shaikh emerged a few months back on running the party affairs. They said Shaikh had not been taken into confidence over many issues, including PML-F’s negotiation with the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to join the provincial government.

Despite backdoor contacts and meetings between the PPP and the PML-F, Rashdi didn’t say whether or not his party has decided to sit on treasury benches in the provincial assembly.

But sources said the PML-F has asked to the PPP to first dispose of all cases against their supporters and demanded two ministries and one adviser and special assistant positions in the provincial government, but decision is left by another meeting expected in a few days.”

However, the PML-F provincial leader refuted the reports.

“No one has contacted us. Neither have we decided to be part of provincial cabinet. This is merely speculation,” he said while denying his meeting with former President Zardari in Dubai.  Asked about his recent meeting with the Sindh chief minister, he said he met him in the capacity of federal minister and not party leader.