Imran Khan’s PTI Suffers Another Major Blow as Fawad Chaudhry Resigns

Islamabad: In yet another significant setback for Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a prominent politician and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry announced his resignation from the party. Chaudhry took to Twitter to express his decision, stating that he would be taking a break from politics and parting ways with Imran Khan, citing his unequivocal condemnation of the incidents that occurred on May 9. This move adds Chaudhry’s name to the growing list of PTI leaders who have resigned in the wake of the widespread vandalism and violent protests witnessed across Pakistan.

Ref. My earlier statement where I unequivocally condemned 9th May incidents, I have decided to take a break from politics, therefore, I have resigned from party position and parting ways from Imran Khan

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 24, 2023

Among those who have already left Imran Khan’s party are Shireen Mazari, Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, Malik Amin Aslam, Mahmood Moulvi, Amir Kayani, Jai Prakash, Aftab Siddiqui, and Sanjay Gangwani, among others. Chaudhry’s arrest, along with other party leaders, earlier in May, was based on allegations of inciting arson and violent protests as part of a planned strategy to disturb the peace, according to Islamabad police. These protests erupted following Imran Khan’s arrest by Pakistani rangers outside the Islamabad High Court.

The events surrounding Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9 led to a wave of violence in Pakistan, with protesters even storming the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, as well as setting fire to a corps commander’s residence in Lahore. Khan, who faces numerous corruption cases, was released on bail and has obtained protective bail against arrest in all cases. The Pakistani government subsequently launched a crackdown on PTI supporters, resulting in the arrest of several party leaders and workers.

Imran Khan himself accused the government of deliberately targeting PTI and its members in a crackdown, expressing his refusal to allow police officials to search his house without providing sufficient evidence. He claimed that the government needed to present proof of PTI’s involvement in the incidents, and if any members were found to be responsible, the party would cooperate in their identification.

In the aftermath of the May 9 attack on military installations and government buildings, Shireen Mazari, a close aide of the former Prime Minister, also decided to leave PTI. Mazari’s resignation followed her release from prison, as she had been arrested multiple times within a span of ten days. Known for her criticism of Pakistan’s military and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government, Mazari urged party officials and those facing trouble to remain discreet and avoid drawing attention to themselves.