Former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, announced his resignation from politics in the wake of the May 9 violent riots. The riots saw PTI workers engage in destructive acts against military installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, leading to widespread condemnation. Buzdar expressed his condemnation of the incidents and called for unity among stakeholders, urging the release of innocent individuals who had been detained.
Usman Buzdar’s Stance and Departure:
During a press conference in Lahore, Buzdar voiced his strong disapproval of the May 9 riots and emphasized that military installations targeted were properties of the state of Pakistan. He stressed the importance of avoiding such incidents in the future. Despite his resignation, Buzdar reaffirmed his unwavering support for the armed forces, stating that he had always stood by them and would continue to do so.
Calls for Consensus and the Release of Innocent Individuals:
Buzdar urged all stakeholders to come together and find common ground in the aftermath of the violent riots. He emphasized the need for a consensus to address the prevailing circumstances. Additionally, the former chief minister called upon the authorities to release individuals who were innocent and unjustly detained during the protests.
Read More: PTI Leader Pervez Khattak StepsDown From Party Position
The Heat on PTI and Resignations:
The PTI party, led by Chairman Imran Khan, faced significant backlash following the May 9 riots. Party workers had engaged in acts of destruction and violence against military installations, leading to the day being termed as a “Black Day” by the army. As a consequence, numerous party leaders and lawmakers distanced themselves from PTI, denouncing the attacks on state installations and announcing their departure from the party. Notable figures who have stepped down or criticized the incidents include Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Aamir Mehmood Kiani, Malik Amin Aslam, Mahmood Moulvi, Aftab Siddiqui, and Fayyazul Hassan Chohan.
The aftermath of the May 9 violent riots has prompted former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar to resign from politics. Buzdar condemned the incidents and emphasized the importance of avoiding such acts of violence in the future. As PTI faces mounting pressure and criticism, with several prominent figures distancing themselves from the party, the focus now lies on restoring unity and stability in the aftermath of the destructive events.
