PTI Chief’s Punjab CM of Choice Usman Buzdar quits politics

QUETTA 02 June (Online): Former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Friday became the latest PTI leader to quit politics.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Buzdar, who did not specify if he was also leaving the party, said, “Keeping in view the situation in the country — we have always done the politics of virtue and encourage it. But in the present political situation, I have decided to quit politics.”

Condemning the violent incidents of May 9 — when civil and military installations were vandalised by enraged protestors — he asserted that he always stood with the Pakistan Army and will keep on doing so.

Commenting on the ongoing politics crises in the country, Buzdar said, “I want to request all the stakeholders to set aside their ego, [think beyond] their parties and work for a better future of Pakistan.”

“I also extend my best wishes to everyone,” the former chief minister added.

Referring to the countrywide arrests made against those allegedly involved in May 9 incidents, Buzdar said that relief should be provided to all the “innocent citizens” who were in jails and called for their immediate release.

The announcement comes as several PTI leaders, including Shireen Mazari and Ali Haider Zaidi, have quit politics altogether while also separating their paths from the PTI over the May 9 incidents.

Other leaders Aamer Mehmood kiani, Barrister Maleeka Buhari, Imran Ismail, Murad Raas and Malik Amin Aslam have also quit the party while Asad Umer and Pervez Khattak have resigned from their party positions but stayed in the party.

Buzdar’s decision to quit politics came a day after Khattak, former KP chief minister, resigned from his party positions.

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