PM tasks Ismail to convince PTI MP to withdraw resignation

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to persuade Muhammad PTI's MNA Najeeb Haroon, who announced resignation from NA seat citing lack of funds for uplift projects for his constituency, to withdraw his resignation and assure him of addressing his grievances.

PTI's MNA Najeeb Haroon who was elected from NA-256 had announced resignation from his national assembly seat on Saturday morning. In his tweet, Haroon who is also a PTI founding member, said that “I tender my resignation with a heavy heart”. “It has been 20 months and has not been able to improve either my constituency or my hometown Karachi in good conscience cannot justify being in this position,” he said.

Haroon was elected MNA from NA-256, a Karachi’s constituency comprising areas of District Central, by securing 89,850 votes. Haroon had defeated the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's candidate Amir Wali Uddin Chishti and Jammat-e-Islami’s Dr. Meraj Ul Huda Siddiqui who secured 45,575 and 22,364 votes respectively. Alongside the tweeet, Haroon also attached a letter written to the party chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 14, in which he said that it had been 20 months since taking oath as an MNA but was unable to contribute towards the betterment of his constituency.

Haroon told the PM that he believes that he had lost his confidence and added that while he was not a burden on the national exchequer he does not feel justified in continuing in the position anymore. The PTI leader reaffirmed his faith in PM Imran Khan but said he was reflecting on this decision for the past eight months.

Meanwhile, sources from Governor House Sindh told The News that Prime Minister Khan had tasked Sindh Governor Ismail to convince MNA Haroon to withdraw his resignation and assure him of addressing his grievances. Haroon is one of the PTI’s founding members and the first executive committee of the ruling party. He is the one of high tax-paying politicians who paid over Rs 134 million in tax in 2017.