- Former Punjab governor submits resignation over ‘failure to achieve what he had set out to do’
- Says he failed in efforts to end inequality, barbarism, inflation and lawlessness prevailing in province
- Govt accepts resignation, appoints Punjab Assembly speaker as acting governor
- PTI, PPP making efforts to rope in Sarwar in their parties
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on Thursday announced that he was stepping down from his office over what he said was a failure to achieve what he had set out to do.
“I want to see a democracy where a common man’s son can get the same opportunities and rights as the elite in this country,” Sarwar said in a press conference.
The move comes days after Sarwar called out the federal government for failing to enter partnership with the US government as he said India had done.
The federal government accepted Sarwar’s resignation and appointed Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal as acting governor of Punjab.
Sarwar denied any communication with the Prime Minister’s House and denied reports saying that he was asked to resign. The resignation was reportedly handed to President Mamnoon Hussain last night with some reports suggesting that the federal government had requested an explanation from Sarwar over his statement after which the governor handed in his resignation.
Addressing the press conference on Thursday, Sarwar said that he could help the masses more effectively away from the Governor House, explaining that the decision to resign had nothing to do with the Sharif brothers.
Sarwar said that he surrendered his British nationality and came to Pakistan to do something for the people of this country.
“Seeing the injustices through my own eyes and not being able to do a single thing to bring an end to the inequality, barbarism, inflation and lawlessness prevailing in this country I have decided to quit my post because if I can’t do anything for my fellow countrymen, I have no right to stick to my post,” he said, making a veiled reference to the Model Town incident in which at least 14 supporters of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) were gunned down by police but no responsibility was fixed on senior government officials despite a report by a judicial commission. He also lamented unbridled land-grabbing in Lahore by a mafia allegedly patronised by a federal minister but stopped short of disclosing the minister’s name.
“With a heavy heart I apologise to my fellow countrymen that I could not do anything to get them out of self deprivation and rid them of social injustices,” Sarwar said, adding that despite the hindrances in his way, he did manage to do some work like provision of clean water, market access to Pakistani products in European Markets through GSP Plus and approval of foreign aid to Pakistani educational institutions.
“It’s time to wake up,” he said, addressing political parties, adding that out-of-school children, lack of access to clean water, threats to minorities are issues plaguing Pakistan. He also vowed to campaign aggressively for local government elections in all provinces.
Sources in the PM House said that Prime Minister Sharif had principally decided to remove Sarwar owing to multiple reasons but particularly because of his recent statement on the government’s failure to secure Obama’s visit to Pakistan.
Sarwar was reportedly eyeing the foreign minister’s post. However, according to sources, the prime minister had refused to accept his request.
PTI, PPP WOOING SARWAR:
Meanwhile, sources said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have offered Sarwar to join their respective parties.
“PTI has offered the slot of party president to Sarwar, a post lying vacant after the resignation by Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, while PPP has offered him to become the party’s president for central Punjab,” sources said, adding that PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari had telephoned Sarwar and reportedly offered to make him the party’s president in Punjab in place of Mian Manzoor Wattoo. “The former governor would make a final decision after taking his aides in Scotland and the UK into confidence,” said the sources.
“Sarwar’s role in PTI or PPP would have a deep impact on the PML-N in central Punjab,” the source concluded.
I think he could not survive in Sharif government, because of their style of governance. They can not tolerate dissenting voices. He should have known, what it would be like working with these arrogant persons. He may be telling the truth, but it is hard to believe he has resigned from the coveted post on his own volition.
Ch. has not told the real story. According to the sources and quoted by the Journalists cum hosts of late night talk shows , he was forced to resign. And he had no opportunity to save himself. It is quite embarrassing for a man like him. He is a seasoned politician, having learned tricks of the trade from British Parliament the mother of all parliaments.
He was a misfit, and did not fit as a cog in the machine of PML (N). He was seeking powers to make some difference but failed to do so, because governorship is a ceremonial position. It does not entail executive powers by design. No one could change the nature of the Job. Not even a liberal democrat like himself. The missing links in his narrative can be filled by the rumors and other stories in circulation.
He swore that he was telling the truth about his resignation. No one called any explanation from me, nor i was forced to submit resignation. I resign voluntarily as I could not give Justice to the poor folks. By these words he has sealed his fate. The truth behind this resignation will come out sooner than later. The people in power should speak the truth all the times.
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