Usman Buzdar, the former Chief Minister of Punjab and a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Friday announced his decision to quit politics.
During a press conference held in Lahore, Buzdar expressed his intention to step away from the political arena while not explicitly stating whether he was also leaving the PTI.
Addressing the recent incidents of violence on May 9, during which civil and military installations were vandalized by protestors, Buzdar condemned the acts and reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Pakistan Army.
He emphasized that he had always stood by the military and would continue to do so.
It pertinent to mention here that the PTI chief branded Usman Buzdar as “Wasim Akram Plus” when voices within the party were started rising for his removal from the office of chief minister of Punjab during the tenure of PTI government.
Commenting on the ongoing political crises in the country, Buzdar urged all stakeholders to set aside their egos and prioritize the betterment of Pakistan over their respective political parties. He called for unity among political leaders and a collective effort to work towards a brighter future for the nation.
In his announcement, Buzdar extended his best wishes to all, without providing further details.
He also highlighted the plight of “innocent citizens” who had been detained in connection with the May 9 incidents and called for their immediate release, emphasizing the need for justice and fairness.
Buzdar’s decision to step away from politics follows the recent resignations of other PTI leaders, including Shireen Mazari and Ali Haider Zaidi, who have not only resigned from their party positions but have also quit politics entirely due to the May 9 incidents.
Other leaders, such as Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Barrister Maleeka Bokhari, Imran Ismail, Murad Raas, and Malik Amin Aslam, have also left the PTI. Meanwhile, Asad Umar and Pervez Khattak have resigned from their party positions but have chosen to remain in the PTI.
Usman Buzdar’s decision to exit politics comes just a day after Pervez Khattak, former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), resigned from his party positions. While Khattak has chosen to remain in the PTI, his resignation marks another high-profile departure within the party.
