The long time loyalist of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Muhammad Enver Baig has been finally shown the door, by suspending his basic membership for allegedly violating party discipline. Syed Nayer Hussain Bukhari, PPP president Islamabad chapter, sources said Thursday issued the notification, cancelling his membership on the basis of alleged involvement in working against the party's interest and negating its basic policies.
The issue came to limelight after the Baig held a meeting with Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif in Lahore the other day after which rumours were rife that he (Baig) is all set to join PML-N. Talking to Business Recorder Baig said that he had not received any letter from the party's central secretariat yet, after which he will be in a better position to respond to the allegations levelled against him by the party leadership.
When asked to comment about the rumors of his joining the PML-N, he categorically denied any such move at present. "There is nothing like this. I haven't got the official verdict of the party high-ups. Once the letter is received, I won't hesitate in replying to the allegation levelled against me," he maintained.
Enwar Baig, a close aide of late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto is considered as one of the top policy wizards of the party. He was appointed chairman foreign affairs committee of the party by Benazir Bhutto herself when she was in exile during Musharraf regime. It is pertinent to note that after 2008 elections, Baig was a staunch supporter of Makhdoom Amin Fahim for the slot of leader of the house and arranged meetings of foreign diplomats including the then US ambassador to Pakistan Ann W Peterson with Fahim at his residence.
Fahim managed to mend fences later with President Asif Ali Zardari but the president did not budge from his stance to forgive Baig for the activities without consultation with a new party leadership at that time.
After receiving the letter, sources said, Baig will decide which way to go as he is a seasoned politician. However, they said that there are strong indications that dissident PPP stalwarts, including former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, may join hands in favour of a new set up to save the senior party leaders from further humiliation, who are being expelled one by one with a stroke of pen for taking stand on matters of national importance.