Abrar, Saif, Raas, Firdous and Khurram quit PTI

F.P. Report
LAHORE: Expressing their regret over the May 9 mayhem, two more Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders — singer-turned-politician Abrarul Haq and Senator Saifullah Nyazee — on Friday announced quitting the party.
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”. Addressing a presser in Lahore, Haq said: “I regret standing with Imran Khan.”
Former Punjab education minister Murad Raas on Friday announced that he is parting ways with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former prime minister Imran Khan.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, he said: “We do not believe in the PTI’s politics of violence.” Murad Raas further said that he never expected to see a day when he would be quitting PTI. “We never thought we would part ways with the party,” he said.
Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday announced to quit Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over May 9 mayhem.
Addressing a press conference at Islamabad Press Club, Awan strongly condemned the attacks on military installations and demanded strict action against the people involved in the riots. She said he joined politics for a national cause and added the state is more sacred than politics. Ms. Awan alleged that May 9 conspiracy was hatched from Zaman Park to make the ‘foreign handlers’ happy. Pakistan and Imran Khan cannot move together, she added.
Lashing out at the former prime minister and PTI chief, Firouds Ashiq Awan said Imran Khan ‘uses’ people for his personal gains. She said she will continue to remain active in politics and will not disappoint the people of his electoral constituency. Earlier in the day, renowned singer Salman Ahmad, a close aide of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan condemned the May 9 violence.
Salman Ahmad said that the events of May 9, flowing the arrest of Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case by NAB, hurt him. He also demanded punishment for those involved in the May 9 mayhem according to the law of the land.
Over two dozen PTI leaders, workers and ticket holders have quit the party after strongly condemning the May 9 vandalism in which rioters torched military installations and public and private buildings causing millions of rupees loss. Earlier on Thursday night, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary Information Punjab Mussarat Cheema and her husband Jamshed Iqbal Cheema quit the party and politics.
The process of separations from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continues as former MNA Khurram Shahzad separated from the party on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, the teary-eyed leader condemned the May 9 vandalism. “I entered politics 11 years ago. I have now decided to resign as deputy secretary general”, he said. Mr Shahzad clarified that he was jumping ship without any duress, adding that he will continue to serve the country and was not leaving it. Speaking about his political future, he said, “I will consult companions regarding my political future.”
Former adviser to the chief minister on prisons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Malik Qasim Khan on Friday parted ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf over May 9 violent protests.
Addressing a press conference, Mr Khan condemned the violence witnessed on May 9 when PTI supporters staged protests in various cities following the arrest of Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case. “I cannot spend more time in such a party,” he said. He lamented that there was no justice within the PTI, adding that the former prime minister was not a man of commitment.