After losing a legal battle in concealment of assets' case that followed revocation of his National Assembly membership, Jahangir Khan Tareen - a close aid of PTI Chairman Imran Khan - also resigned as party secretary general on Saturday. In an emotional letter addressed to PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Tareen tendered his resignation with a profound wish for the PTI supremo to be the next prime minister of Pakistan.
"The Supreme Court of Pakistan has disqualified me on an interpretation of a legal term. It is disappointing that the country's highest tax paying parliamentarian stands disqualified on a flimsy technical ground but since the highest court of Pakistan has concluded that I am not qualified to continue as a member of the Parliament, I bow my head in compliance with that order," he said.
He justified his resignation by saying that he had spent all his life on principles and moral values, adding it is morally not justified for him to continue as secretary general of PTI. "It is hereby for the reasons mentioned above, I humbly submit my resignation from the post of the secretary general of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf," he added.
He said that he would remain available to PTI as political worker in the fight against the political status quo and towards buildings a "Naya Pakistan." He assured the PTI chairman that he would always find him a sincere friend. "Your friendship and leadership is an asset. I hope to see you as next prime minister of Pakistan," he added.
He also said the reason behind joining the bandwagon of Imran Khan was to achieve the vision of a politically modern, progressive and corruption-free Pakistan. "I am happy that during these years, I received your confidence and trust. I am glad that I have been able to contribute in making PTI Pakistan's largest political party. All this was possible only due to the trust, confidence and support of millions of PTI supporters in Pakistan and abroad," he added.
He showered praise on Imran Khan for his struggle after revelation of the Panama Papers, saying it was Imran under whose leadership the Panama Papers changed the course of history for Pakistan. "As a counterblast, status quo mafia filed a malicious case against you and me. I should be proud that my leadership came out clean and not an iota of corruption, misappropriations or any illegality was proved against it," he said.
A spokesman for PTI said that the PTI chairman accepted the resignation of Tareen but no one will be appointed secretary general unless the court decides the review petition which the party is expected to file in the Supreme Court on Monday. In a Twitter message, Khan paid glowing tributes to Tareen, and said: "JKT, you have shown unswerving commitment to the cause of Naya Pakistan and worked with utmost dedication for our cause. For me, it doesn't matter whether you hold a position in PTI or are in Parliament, you will always remain right next to me as we build Naya Pakistan In Sha Allah."
Khan, who returned to Islamabad from Karachi on Saturday afternoon, went to Tareen's residence straight from the airport.
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