PTI in crisis: Dozens of leaders leave the party after Imran Khan’s arrest
How many leaders have quit PTI till now?
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been hit by a wave of departures from its leadership ranks in recent months. As of May 24, 2023, a total of 24 PTI leaders have resigned from their posts.
The departures have come from a variety of levels within the party, from the federal cabinet to the provincial assemblies. Some of the most high-profile departures include former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Finance Minister Asad Umar, and former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
The reasons for the departures vary. Some leaders have cited differences with Khan, while others have said they are frustrated with the party’s direction. Still, others have simply said they are tired of the infighting and chaos within the PTI.
The departures have left the PTI in a weakened position. The party is now facing a leadership vacuum, and it is unclear who will emerge as Khan’s successor. The PTI is also facing a challenge from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which is led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The PML-N has been quick to capitalize on the PTI’s problems. The party has been holding rallies and public meetings, and it has been making inroads in the PTI’s traditional strongholds.
The PTI is facing an uphill battle in the next general election. The party will need to find a way to unite its ranks and to regain the support of the public. If the PTI is unable to do so, it could be relegated to the opposition benches for the foreseeable future.
Who are the leaders who have quit PTI?
The following is a list of the 24 PTI leaders who have resigned from their posts as of May 24, 2023:
- Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Foreign Minister
- Asad Umar, former Finance Minister
- Fawad Chaudhry, former Information Minister
- Shireen Mazari, former Human Rights Minister
- Fayyaz Chohan, former Punjab Information Minister
- Abdul Razaq Niazi, former Federal Minister for Water Resources
- Makhdoom Iftikharul Hassan Gillani, former Advisor to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs
- Khawaja Qutab Fareed Koreja, former Member of the National Assembly
- Aamer Mahmood Kiani, former Member of the National Assembly
- Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, former Member of the National Assembly
- Aftab Siddiqui, former Member of the National Assembly
- Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, former Member of the National Assembly
- Usman Tarakai, former Member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly
- Malik Amin Aslam, former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change
- Mahmood Moulvi, former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Affairs
- Ijaz Chaudhry, former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs
- Sahibzada Jahangir Tareen, former Member of the National Assembly
- Abdul Aleem Khan, former Member of the National Assembly
- Jahangir Khan Tareen, former Member of the National Assembly
- Akbar S Babar, former Member of the National Assembly
- Raja Khurram Nawaz Khan, former Member of the National Assembly
- Ali Muhammad Khan, former Member of the National Assembly
- Murad Saeed, former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Communications
- Saifullah Niazi, former Member of the National Assembly
What does the future hold for PTI?
It is too early to say what the future holds for PTI. The party is facing a number of challenges, but it also has a number of strengths. The PTI has a strong grassroots organization, and it has a large and enthusiastic following. The party also has a number of experienced and capable leaders.
If PTI can overcome its current challenges, it could still be a major force in Pakistani politics. However, if the party is unable to unite and to regain the support of the public, it could be relegated to the opposition benches for the foreseeable future.
Only time will tell what the future holds for PTI. However, one thing is for sure: the party is at a crossroads. The decisions that PTI makes in the coming months will have a major impact on its future.
