Firdous Ashiq Awan Resigns From PTI

ISLAMABAD: In a significant setback for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, the former special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Information and Broadcasting, has announced her resignation from the party. Awan, who was known for her close association with Imran Khan, cited the violent incidents that took place on May 9 as the reason for her departure. 

The wave of rioting witnessed military installations, as well as public and private buildings, being set ablaze, resulting in substantial financial losses.

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During a press conference, Awan strongly condemned the attacks on military establishments and called for strict action against the individuals responsible for the unrest. She emphasized her entry into politics was driven by a sense of national duty, stressing that the sanctity of the state supersedes political considerations.

Awan went on to allege that the May 9 violence was orchestrated from Zaman Park with the intention of appeasing "foreign handlers." Asserting that Pakistan and Imran Khan could no longer walk hand in hand, she expressed her decision to part ways with the PTI.

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This resignation follows the recent denouncement of the May 9 violence by renowned singer Salman Ahmad, another close associate of Imran Khan. Ahmad expressed deep distress over the events that unfolded subsequent to Imran Khan's arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He called for the strict implementation of the law in bringing the perpetrators of the mayhem to justice.

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The PTI has been grappling with a spate of defections, with more than two dozen party leaders, workers, and ticket holders severing ties with the party due to their strong condemnation of the May 9 vandalism.

The latest resignations of Awan, Ahmad, and others deliver a severe blow to the PTI, which is already confronting numerous challenges, including corruption cases against Imran Khan and his party.

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The future of the PTI hangs in the balance as it confronts these setbacks. The party now faces the uphill task of regaining its lost popularity and recovering from the political fallout resulting from the recent events. The manner in which the PTI responds to these challenges will be critical in determining its trajectory moving forward.