Ishratul Ebad hints at rejoining politics

KARACHI: Former Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ebad has hinted at the possibility of rejoining politics, emphasising the need for a new platform to resolve the problems facing the country.

Speaking to Geo News on Saturday night, Ebad, with whom former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail held meetings recently to discuss the country’s political situation, said he was yet to decide which political platform he would join.

He said the current political scenario in Pakistan depicted the situation of a tug-of-war between the judiciary, the establishment and the parliament.

Ebad, who remained Sindh’s governor for 14 years from December 2002 to November 2016, described the judiciary, parliament and armed forces as important pillars of the state of Pakistan. “A perception shouldn’t emerge that relations among these pillars of any state are strained.”

He remarked that the president is the constitutional head of the country and represents the unified federation, so the Presidency in the prevailing political scenario should use its influence and remove misunderstandings and tensions among different pillars of the state.

The ex-governor mentioned that both his party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and its founder had distanced themselves from him in 2015. “When the MQM disowned me, I also parted ways with them.”

He dispelled the impression that he tilt was towards MQM-London.

Ebad said he knew the elements involved in the propaganda against him. He advised the elements involved in promoting wrong perceptions and propaganda about him to remain cautious.