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Sarwar had called out the government for failing to enter a partnership with the US as India had done. — NNI/File
LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar resigned on Thursday, over what he said was a failure to achieve what he had set out to do.
“I want to witness a democracy where a common man’s son can get the same opportunities and rights as the elite in this country,” Sarwar in a press conference today, adding that he has resigned of his own volition and not under pressure.
The moves comes days after he called out the federal government for failing to enter partnership with the United States government as he said India had done. At the press conference Sarwar said, “We have no objection to Obama’s India visit, says Sarwar, but Obama should have treated Pakistan equally and visited to express solidarity.”
The government accepted his resignation, with Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Iqbal having taken over as acting governor Punjab.
Sarwar denied any communication with the Prime Minister House, and denied reports saying that he was asked to resign. The resignation was reportedly handed to President Mamnoon Hussain last night, with some reports suggesting that the federal government had requested an explanation from Sarwar over his statement after which the governor handed in his resignation.
He further added that he can help the masses more effectively away from the governor house, explaining that the decision to resign had nothing to do with the Sharif brothers.
“I can serve Pakistan better out of office,” he said. “I will live and die in Pakistan.”
He further said that he wants to continue to help Pakistan in creating such a society where progress can be ensured for all the masses.
“It’s time to wake up,” he said, addressing political parties, adding that out-of-school children, lack of access to clean water, threats to minorities are issues plaguing Pakistan. He also vowed to campaign aggressively for local-government elections in all provinces.
Sarwar on Tuesday at a ceremony of Tehrik Istehkam-i-Pakistan had said: “It’s the diplomatic failure of Pakistan that US President Obama visited India and signed all-important civil nuclear deal with it that included some condition even against American and international laws.”
Earlier: Governor sees diplomatic failure of Pakistan
US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week unveiled a deal aimed at unlocking billions of dollars in nuclear trade and deepening defence ties. The two allies also said they would establish several bilateral mechanisms to identify opportunities to boost business, trade and investment ties.
Sarwar had criticised the civil bureaucracy, saying they enjoyed each and every perk and privilege in the country but had contributed nothing to the nation in the last 68 years.
He had further said that polite methods to make the civil bureaucracy realise its duty had failed and now the only option left was to teach them through the use of “baton”.
The governor had said Washington should have given equal importance to New Delhi and Islamabad while making its policies for the region. He said Obama should have used the opportunity to normalise tensions in Indo-Pak ties.
The controversy surrounding Sarwar’s statements and subsequent resignation comes days after Federal Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada came under fire after making controversial remarks about Saudi Arabia — a close ally of the Sharif government.
Read: Federal minister accuses Saudi govt of destabilising Muslim world
Pirzada called upon the great powers — naming the US and Saudi Arabia specifically — to allow countries of the world to live in peace and said they should not fund terrorists or arm them.
When pressed by the government to explain his remarks, Pirzada backtracked and said the media ‘twisted’ his words regarding Saudi Arabia’s role in destabilising the Muslim world.
Heard javaid hashmi might be taking over. Such an ideal candidate !!! Na uss may himmat hai bolnay ki na kisi se takkar lainay ki since he will be so obliged to pmln for selecting him. He can be a perfect puppet governor.
He is right, he might be able to do more out of the office, Governor, have no powers whatsoever, it is a ceremonial position, governor have no role whatsoever... I guess Ch. Sarwar thought something else when he joined in as a governor, but it turned out he is nothing as a governor.
It would be best he forms his own party of people of better reputation and intellect instead of joining another MQM in disguise..
I think we all saw it coming. This guy threw away his nationality to accept this position, whether right or wrong, but he deserves much better than this. Its very unfortunate. The way bureaucracy works in Pakistan, its very hard for a man who believe on principles to run the show. On the top of it if the govt is incompetent too, it doesnt leave any choice so ya its a right decision he made.
And I hope he doesnt join PTI otherwise he'll be the next javed hashmi
Imran Khan is also praising Sarwar
Surprising , he never praised before
‘سسٹم نے چوہدری سرور کو کام نہیں کرنے دیا’]('سسٹم نے چوہدری سرور کو کام نہیں کرنے دیا' - Pakistan - Dawn News Urdu)سابق گورنرپنجاب کےپاس تمام ترآسائشیں موجود تھیں،وہ عوام کی خدمت کیلئےآئے تھےتاہم سسٹم نے انہیں مایوس کیا، عمران
I think we all saw it coming. This guy threw away his nationality to accept this position, whether right or wrong, but he deserves much better than this. Its very unfortunate. The way bureaucracy works in Pakistan, its very hard for a man who believe on principles to run the show. On the top of it if the govt is incompetent too, it doesnt leave any choice so ya its a right decision he made.
And I hope he doesnt join PTI otherwise he'll be the next javed hashmi
If he doesn't join PTI, his other option is PPP (Apparently Zardari has invited him already), would you be OK if he joins Zardari league or you want him to join MQM, ANP or Maulana Fazlur Rehman or perhaps leave Pakistan? It's a serious questions since joining PTI would be the worst thing on earth.
and on a serious note its ok for him to join PTI but tomorrow if he leaves due to wutever reason, he shouldnt be mudslided the way it happened with hashmi
Sure let’s wait for a party that will keep everyone happy. We want a leader who is dynamic, great politician, extremely honest, clean past, liberal and religious, good muslim and great orator, highly educated, will not accept any old politician, will not accept feudals, will openly challenge mullahs and talibans etc etc
Mr Sarwar should go back to the UK. Thanks for trying.
the mafias in Pak won't let any honest man rule and fix the country. Only corrupt parties exist there, as we have seen the last several decades. Military has its own interetss, the politicians and bureaucrats have their own. Even IK and TuQ failed to bring any changes.....
Hope he goes back to UK and proceeds to live his good life there.
and on a serious note its ok for him to join PTI but tomorrow if he leaves due to wutever reason, he shouldnt be mudslided the way it happened with hashmi
Hashmi k liye itni humdardi kyon! He deserved some of the criticism. He knew about IK's dharma plan all along, yet conveniently deserted the party when it did not suit him. Besides he was a lota to begin with, so hardly a man of principles.
Btw I consider both Tareen and SMQ opportunists too
