Pakistan People’s Party leader and MNA Jamshed Dasti on Wednesday announced leaving the PPP in what appeared to be the latest blow to the ruling party amidst rising tensions with the judiciary and the military establishment. Dasti told reporters that he would contest the next general election as an independent candidate. Dasti was disqualified by the Supreme Court from the National Assembly for having a fake graduate degree.
He was later re-elected as MNA from Muzaffargarh NA-178. Dasti said he was facing pressure in his constituency and it was impossible for him to work for people of his constituency by remaining in the PPP. He said he would resign from the PPP whether the leadership approved or not. He added that lawmakers from south Punjab had opposed the party decision of giving the portfolio of foreign minister to Hina Rabbani Khar, but the party gave her priority over old party workers. Sources said Dasti had remained in constant touch with PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi. However, Dasti said he had not decided to join any other party so far.
PPP leader Jamshed Dasti quits party
