LAHORE: Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party stalwart Hammad Azhar has stepped down as the president of the party’s Punjab chapter, Pakistan’s most populous province. Earlier today, Hafiz Farhat Abbas, the parliamentary leader of PTI in the Punjab Assembly, also announced his resignation from his position.
Azhar, who previously served as a federal minister in Imran Khan’s cabinet during the PTI government, remains in hiding due to concerns of arrest related to multiple cases stemming from the May 9 unrest. He cited his inability to access Imran Khan and the restrictions on his movements as the primary reasons for his decision.
In a statement on X, Azhar expressed frustration over his lack of communication with Khan. He explained, “Unfortunately, I do not have access to Imran Khan. I did not hold a press conference or make any deals, as my movement is highly restricted and I cannot visit Adiala Jail.”
He raised several grievances, including his exclusion from key decisions within the PTI’s Punjab organization. Azhar criticized what he described as decisions based on lobbying rather than merit.
He pointed to Chaudhry Asghar’s removal as PTI’s Lahore president as an example of this lobbying, claiming that misleading information was used to influence Khan’s directives.
Azhar also highlighted concerns about limited access to Khan and the one-sided information being provided to him. He noted that PTI members in various regions were not adequately informed about the challenges they faced.
“Given these circumstances, it is impossible for me, or for anyone in my position, to undermine merit and dismiss dedicated members simply because their voices cannot reach Khan sahab,” he said.
Azhar reflected on his earlier resignation from the roles of acting PTI Punjab president and general secretary in March, citing similar reasons about the importance of leadership presence on the ground.
In response to his resignation, Asghar and PTI Lahore’s Secretary-General Hafiz Zeeshan Rasheed also resigned from their positions.
Azhar concluded, “I am thankful to the workers for their support in our efforts for the release of PTI’s founder. I hope the new Lahore president will be a better choice. I remain a devoted worker of Imran Khan and will continue to support him.”
