Share this story!            

PML-Q terminates Humayun Akhtar’s membership

* Party information secretary says Akhtar’s membership terminated permanently for indiscipline

By Rana Kashif

LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) on Monday terminated Humayun Akhtar’s membership from the party for violating its discipline.

PML-Q Information Secretary Kamil Ali Agha said Akhtar’s membership had been permanently terminated. However, sources from the PML-Q told Daily Times that Akhtar had been actively campaigning against the party leadership, adding that he – along with other dissidents, including Senator Saleem Saifullah Khan and Hamid Nasir Chatha – wanted new election in the party to oust the Chaudhry brothers from office.

When asked about his termination, Akhtar said, “The office of Chaudhry Shujaat is unconstitutional and so is his decision. Humayun also said when the general council was not legitimate, how could its decisions be regarded as legitimate.

He said he along with those who shared his ideals, were convening a general council meeting in Islamabad on August 20 in which general council would be asked for the provision of structure in the party and to oust all those who had been selected. To a question regarding what legal action he would take against the termination of his membership, Akhtar said calling the meeting was the answer. On the other hand, the unification group in Punjab had also announced its support to the Akhtar’s like-minded group for calling the general council meeting in Islamabad saying that the former minister’s termination was unconstitutional and that they did not accept the decision. The group leader, Mian Atta Muhammad Maneka said, “We do not accept this so-called leadership of the party, its Gujrat made general council and its unconstitutional announcements.” He said the total number of the members of the general council was 1,500, but its size had reduced after Pir Pagara and Mian Manzoor Ahmed Whatto had disassociated themselves from the party.

He said the required quorum of the general council’s meeting was one-third and this quorum would be complete in the August 20 meeting. He also said all decisions taken in the meeting would be legitimate.

The leader said the unification group would stand side by side with the like-minded group for the restructuring of the party. He also said “the meeting will be the last nail in the coffin”. Meanwhile, the PML-Q leadership has repeatedly said that the recently-held party elections were constitutional in all respects and any amendment in the party’s constitution was made after a due legal process. Akhtar was elected to the National Assembly on PML’s ticket in 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1997. He served as minister of state for investment from 1997 to 1999. After being elected on a PML-Q ticket in 2002, Akhtar served as the federal minister for commerce. He also served as the chairman of the Board of Investment and federal minister for investment during 1997-1999.

Home | National

Share this story!