RAWALPINDI: PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood has announced his retirement from politics, emphasizing that his decision was not influenced by any external pressures.
Shafqat Mahmood, a former federal education minister, stated in a post on X (Twitter) : “34 years ago, I resigned from a government job and entered politics. After much deliberation, I have now decided to retire from politics.”
Numerous politicians left the former ruling party or quit politics altogether following the May 9 attacks on state installations, with the party claiming they were forced to leave the Imran Khan-founded party.
The leaders who deserted the now embattled PTI include Fawad Chaudhry, Asad Umar, Shireen Mazari, Fayazul Hassan Chohan, Maleeka Bokhari, Ali Zaidi, and Musarrat Jamshed Cheema.
While some leaders have attempted to rejoin the party ranks, the PTI leadership — now consisting of several new faces — has decided that deserters will not be brought back into the fold.
“There’s no pressure on me [to quit PTI] and I do not plan on joining any other political party,” Mahmood said, explaining that he made the decision due to “time” and his “age.”
Reflecting on his decades-long political career, the former federal minister said he experienced several ups and downs. “I have served as a member of the Senate and the National Assembly.”
Not only that, he mentioned he was also appointed as both a federal and provincial minister. Mahmood, on a lighter note, said he also “visited” jail during his political career.
The now-former PTI leader said that as the federal education minister, he rolled out the Single National Curriculum for the first time in history and oversaw education-related affairs during the pressing period of COVID-19.
As Federal education minister during the coronavirus period, he introduced several relaxations and passed students without exams, earning the admiration of students.
Shafqat thanked Khan and PTI for giving him the opportunity to “serve.” Mahmood also extended his gratitude towards the voters of his constituency, who elected him to parliament twice.
“I am satisfied that I have always performed all my responsibilities honestly and carried out every position as a duty. No one, thank God, has leveled any allegations against me.”
