Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Dr Arif Alvi has said that Dr Shireen Mazari preferred to resign from the party's membership after she was issued a show cause notice for publicly criticising the party. In a statement issued here on Wednesday, Dr Alvi said she was a respected member of the party and had representation in its highest forums.
"However, it is incumbent upon all party members to observe discipline. Sadly, Dr Mazari chose not to do so by going public about her grievances during Imran Khan's visit to the flood-affected areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. Since this was against the code of conduct that governs party members, she was issued a show cause notice and asked to reply within seven days. Dr Mazari did not reply to this and has chosen to resign from the party," he added.
He said that during a visit to the rain-affected areas, PTI Chief Imran Khan was scheduled to visit Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. However, his flight from Islamabad to DG Khan got delayed by three hours due to rain with the result that he could not visit Rajanpur. Dr Mazari knew about the circumstances but still chose to publicly criticise the party and its leadership. This was unacceptable but the party did not immediately suspend her or terminate her membership. Instead as per party rules and the norms of any democratic organisation, she was asked to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against her. She chose not reply and has instead widened her scope of attack on the party while resigning. This is indeed sad and uncalled for.
He further said that as a democratic party, PTI respects the views of all its members and everyone has a right to state them unequivocally and forcefully at party forums. At the same time, parties cannot function if every disagreement within it is made public. Every member of the party has to observe some basic norms of membership without which no organisation can function. Sadly, Dr Mazari did not accept this obligation. Political parties are voluntary organisations and everyone has a right to join them or leave. She has decided to leave. This is her prerogative and PTI respects it while completely rejecting all the uncalled for allegations made by her.-PR