Former federal planning minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar on Saturday finally announced he was parting ways with the party. He then went a step further and said he was quitting politics altogether.
The surprise announcement came on his social media account on the website 'X' (formerly known as Twitter); he said that after spending a year in the public spotlight, he was stepping away from politics.
Earlier in the year, after the incidents of May 9, when he was arrested, Umar had in a press conference announced that he was resigning from the offices he had been appointed to in the party, but he would remain a member.
But on Saturday, said he was also resigning from the party's basic membership.
"As I had already stated publicly earlier, that I disagree with the policy of confrontation with state institutions, and such a policy has led to a serious collision with state institutions, which is not in the interest of the country," he stated.
He thanked party members, the public who supported him in his public life, especially his team in NA-54 Islamabad and the voters who elected him twice.
"I have tried my best to serve the constituency that I was elected from. May Allah's blessings shine upon the Pakistani nation."
"After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics," he added.
After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 11, 2023
As i had already stated publicly earlier that i disagree with the policy of confrontation with state institutions, and such a policy has led to a serious collission with state institutions,…
He joins a growing list of former PTI office bearers who have not just quit the party but politics overall. The list includes Shireen Mazari, Umar Dar and others.