Three more leaders part ways with PTI over May 9 violence

Expressing their regret over the May 9 mayhem, three more Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders —Dr. Muhammad Akhtar Malik, Mian Tariq Abdullah, and Samir Shaikh— on Saturday announced quitting the party.

Addressing a press conference along with Mian Tariq Abdullah, the former provincial minister for health Dr. Akhtar Malik said that he has been in practical politics for 25 years and he tried to serve people honestly under one ideology. “It was difficult to accept the May 9 events. I regret standing with PTI and decided to quit not only PTI but also politics.

Former MPA Mian Tariq Abdullah said that May 9 was a dark day in the history of Pakistan. “I wholeheartedly condemn this day and announce to part ways with PTI,” he added.

He said that he has been in politics for 30 years and also said during the Musharraf era in 2002 that there should be no clash with national institutions. “Politics only works when there is Pakistan.”

In a video message, PTI leader Samir Sheikh announced to quit the party. He said that he could not tolerate anything against Pakistan Army and strongly condemn the events of May 9.

Sameer Sheikh said that he did not leave the party even in difficult situations, but he will not allow the attack on Pakistan Army.

The PTI leaders' mass exodus started when the security forces launched a crackdown against the party following the attacks on the civil and military institutions, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House).

The riots were triggered by PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest from Islamabad High Court in the Al-Qadir Trust graft case on May 9 — a day the army dubbed as “Black Day”.