Sardar Mehtab Abbasi parts ways with PML-N

Peshawar: Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) governor Sardar Mehtab Abbasi on Friday decided to sever ties with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Sardar Mehtab Abbasi announced his candidacy as an 'independent candidate' for the upcoming elections in NA-16 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as reported on Friday.

In a statement, the former KP governor expressed his reservations regarding the provincial leadership of the PML-N. He asserted that the party's leadership primarily prioritizes its own interests, and the organizational structure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has become obsolete.

Sardar Mehtab Abbasi cited differences with Nawaz Sharif based on principles, emphasizing that his concerns are not directed towards Maryam Nawaz. He highlighted the importance of democracy within political parties and criticized what he perceived as hypocritical thinking and attitudes prevailing within the PML-N.

Adding to his remarks, Mehtab Abbasi commented on the challenges faced by Nawaz Sharif's team, stating that solving the economic crisis is a formidable task with the current leadership. He noted that the influence of PML-N has dwindled, and it is now confined mainly to Punjab.

Earlier, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also confirmed his resignation as the party's senior vice president, citing differences with Maryam Nawaz. Maryam Nawaz was elevated to the position of the party’s senior vice president in January, a move that contributed to internal shifts within the PML-N.