Former planning minister and close aide of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Asad Umar, has decided to quit politics altogether. He announced his decision in a post on social media, stating that he had “made the difficult decision to step away from active politics” after more than a decade in public life.
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Umar’s decision follows a long list of other PTI leaders who have quit the party in recent months. The defections come after the crackdown launched against the party and its leaders following the May 9 riots.
In his resignation letter, Umar said that he disagreed with the PTI’s policy of confrontation with state institutions, which he believes has led to “a serious collision with state institutions, which is not in the interest of the country.”
After more than one decade in public life, I have decided to completely quit politics.
As i had already stated publicly earlier that i disagree with the policy of confrontation with state institutions, and such a policy has led to a serious collission with state institutions,…
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 11, 2023
Umar thanked those who had supported him in his political career, particularly the “NA-54 team and the voters who elected me twice.” He also wished the Pakistani nation well.
PTI leader Taimur Khan Jhagra reacted to Umar’s resignation by calling it a “loss” and “no one’s gain.” He thanked Umar for his help in guiding the country through the COVID-19 crisis and said that he hoped there would be more space in politics for professionals who have something to offer.
Umar’s resignation is a significant loss for the PTI and for Pakistani politics as a whole. He was a respected and experienced politician who had a lot to offer the country. His departure leaves a void in the PTI’s leadership and will likely make it more difficult for the party to recover from its recent setbacks.
