ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) suffered a setback on Wednesday as its senior leader and former federal minister, Aamer Mehmood Kiani, announced he is quitting the party over May 9 riots and vandalism. Kiani’s decision comes in the wake of a crackdown on the PTI following acts of vandalism.
Mr. Kiani is expected to hold a press conference to officially announce his departure from the party, stating that he will also bid farewell to politics. The recent PTI workers’ vandalism, particularly the attack on military installations, has been cited as the reason behind his decision.
Aamer Mehmood Kiani, a former federal minister, and prominent PTI figure, has decided to sever ties with Imran Khan’s party after it resorted to acts of vandalism and damaged military installations following the arrest of the former prime minister.
Kiani was elected from the NA-16 constituency on a PTI ticket in 2018 and was considered a close aide of Imran Khan. He previously served as the president of PTI’s North Punjab chapter.
Another blow to PTI
Another blow to the PTI came a day earlier when Mahmood Baqi Maulvi, a Member of the National Assembly (MNA) elected on a PTI ticket from Karachi, announced his departure from the party.
Maulvi cited the nationwide riots and attacks on military installations that occurred after Imran Khan’s arrest as his reason for leaving. In a press conference, Maulvi emphasized his unwavering support for the army, stating that while political parties may change, loyalty to the military remains steadfast.
The arrest of Imran Khan on May 9 by the rangers, following warrants from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), triggered a wave of unrest across the country, with PTI supporters engaging in acts of violence and targeting military installations.
Aamer Kiani’s departure and Mahmood Maulvi’s exit from the PTI underscore the growing discontent within the party following recent events.
The departure of key leaders and allegations of party workers’ involvement in acts of vandalism pose significant challenges for Imran Khan’s party, as it grapples with internal divisions and seeks to regain stability in the midst of a tumultuous political climate.
