Ali Zaidi quits politics, resigns from PTI positions over May 9 mayhem
Pakistan
Says the armed forces are pride of Pakistan
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Former prime minister Imran Khan suffered another jolt as president of his party’s Sindh chapter, Ali Zaidi, announced on Saturday resignation from all party positions over May 9 violent protests.
In a video statement, the former federal minister for maritime condemned the May 9 vandalism, adding: “After long contemplation, I have decided to quit politics and resign from all party positions”.
“I had joined to politics to serve Pakistan. I again condemn the May 9 incidents,” he said. “The armed forces are pride of Pakistan and we sleep peacefully because of them as they protect our borders,” he lauded the role of military.
He said all those involved in the violence should be brought to justice. Mr Zaidi said it was tough decision to quit the politics, adding that he however tried to serve the country.
On May 9, violent protests erupted after Mr Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
His party workers vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander's House and the Mianwali airbase in response to the arrest of the PTI chief.
The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also stormed by the mob for the first time, an action that was widely condemned by the civil and military leadership of the country.
Thousands of PTI supporters were arrested following the violence that the Pakistan Army and ruling coalition described as a “dark day” in the history of the country.
A day earlier former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar announced to quit the party over May 9 mayhem.
