Former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin has dealt a significant blow to the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by formally resigning from both his PTI membership and his seat in the Senate, signaling his departure from active politics.
This departure follows a series of setbacks for the party, grappling with legal and political challenges.
Tarin, who was once a key figure in PTI, had confirmed his decisions to the media.
He now joins a growing list of leaders who have distanced themselves from the party, including prominent names like Asad Umar, Usman Dar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, and Pervez Khattak.
The wave of exits intensified after the tumultuous events of May 9, when PTI supporters vandalized state installations in response to Imran Khan’s arrest. Subsequently, a crackdown led to the apprehension of numerous party members, including Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Shaukat Tarin initially assumed the role of Finance Minister in April 2021, but his tenure was constrained by the requirement that a minister must be a lawmaker.
Undeterred, Imran Khan appointed him as an advisor on finance. In December of the same year, Tarin secured a seat in the Senate through a by-election, subsequently reclaiming the position of federal finance minister. However, his second stint in this role was curtailed when the PTI government faced a vote of no-confidence in April 2022.
Notably, Tarin had previously served as the federal finance minister during the Pakistan Peoples Party government, spanning from October 2008 to February 2010.
