PTI MNA Mahmood Baqi Maulvi announces to exit party following countrywide riots after Imran Khan’s arrest

KARACHI, May 16 (SABAH): Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Mahmood Baqi Maulvi, who was elected on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket, announced on Tuesday that he was exiting the party following countrywide riots after party chairman Imran Khan’s arrest.

Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9 by the Rangers on the warrants of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Following his arrest, the party’s supporters wreaked havoc almost across the country for days, including attacks on military installations.

In a press conference in Karachi, Mahmood Baqi Maulvi announced his resignation from the lower house of parliament and exit from the PTI. “We can change political parties but we cannot change our army. I have never gone against the army nor will I do it in the future,” he stressed.

He also shared that party workers had been discussing before May 9 that they would go to the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi in case Imran Khan was arrested. “I told them we should not fight against the army because there is no reason for it.”

Mahmood Baqi Maulvi said neither did he know the people who participated in the violent protests, nor was he a part of them, adding that the actions of those involved in the riots were “indefensible”. “It is not permissible to fight against the army anywhere,” he added.

He further clarified that he was not going to join another political party. Instead, he would either form a social welfare organisation or a new party. Maulvi also demanded that the PTI announce it would punish all those involved in the riots.