LAHORE-
Governor Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar resigned from his post on Thursday amid reports of a possible dismissal following his criticism of the federal government, private media reported.
The governor had sent the resignation to the President House on Wednesday evening, reports added.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal has taken over as acting governor Punjab.
Addressing a press conference, Sarwar denied reports saying that he was asked to resign or was asked to explain his statements critical of the government. He further said that his resignation had nothing to do with hte Sharif brothers.
He said that he could serve Pakistan better away from the governor house, adding that he wants to help the country where all of the masses have an equual chance to progress.
He further added that he can help the masses more effectively away from the governor house, explaining that the decision to resign had nothing to do with the Sharif brothers.
“I have no objection to Obama’s India visit but he should have treated Pakistan equally and visited to express solidarity,” he said in clarification of his earlier statement regarding the US president visiting India but not Pakistan.
The governor had termed US President Barack Obama’s visit to India and ignoring Pakistan a failure of the country at the diplomatic front.
“It’s the diplomatic failure of Pakistan that US President Obama visited India and signed all-important civil nuclear deal with it that included some condition even against American and international laws,” Sarwar said at the Tehreek Istehkam-e-Pakistan ceremony on Tuesday.
The governor was also critical of the civil bureaucracy, saying they enjoyed each and every perk and privilege in the country but had contributed nothing to the nation in the last 68 years.
He said that the only option left to teach the bureaucracy to perform their duties was the use of “baton”.
Mr. Sarwar is a former Member of the British Parliament who had been elected from Glasgow on a labor party ticket.
He gave up his British citizenship in order to become the Governor of Pakistan’s largest province.