Pakistan
PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood quits politics
He says to devote his life in writing and teaching
Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former federal education minister has announced to quit the politics.
He made the announcement of his retirement from politics on social media site X, stating, I landed into politics after resigning from my government job and now I have decided to retire from politics after deliberation.
He disclosed to devote his life into writing and teaching, clarifying that this decision wasn’t taken under any pressure or plan to join any other political party instead in the wake of age and time commitments.
Former minister Mahmood said that he had decided to retire from politics after deliberation. "34 years back, I resigned from a government job and entered politics. But after deliberations, I have now decided to retire from politics," he stated in a post on X.
A plethora of politicians left the former ruling party or quit politics altogether following the May 9 attacks on state installations, with the party saying that they were forced to quit the Imran Khan-founded party.
He continued, "There's no pressure on me [to quit PTI] and neither do I plan on joining any other political party."
Reflecting on his political decades-long career, the former federal minister said he saw several ups and downs. "I have served as a member of the Senate and the National Assembly."
Not only that, he said that he was also appointed as a federal as well as provincial minister. Mahmood, on a lighter note, said he also "visited" jail during his political career.
The now-former PTI leader said that as the federal education minister, he rolled out the Single National Curriculum for the first time in history and also oversaw education-related affairs during the pressing period of COVID-19.
He thanked Khan and PTI for giving him to oppurtunity to "serve". Mahmood also extended his gratitude towards the voters of his constituency, who elected him to parliament twice.
"I am satisfied that I have always performed all my responsibilities honestly and performed at every position as a duty. No one, thank God, has levelled any allegation against me."
Revealing his future plans, Mahmood said that he wanted to spend the rest of his life teaching and writing. "I agree with those who say that the youth should participate in politics."