Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA in Punjab, Uzma Kardar has been expelled from the party for violating party discipline, said a notification issued by the ruling party. PTI is working to reorganize itself to ensure its sustainable rule in Punjab and Centre.
PTI has suspended the basic party membership of MPA Uzma Kardar over violation of party rules and “conduct unbecoming of a PTI member”. “It is extremely shameful of Uzma Kardar to be talking behind her [First Lady] back," SAPM Zulfi Bukhari had said. https://t.co/8omo9xaje5
— NDN (@NDN_pk) July 6, 2020
As the ruling party is facing public backlash for being unable to ensure improved governance across the country, efforts are underway to restructure PTI under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Recently, Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Science and Technology Minister, has admitted that his party has failed to deliver largely due to internal conflicts and petty politics. In an interview with an international news organization, reveals Fawad Chaudhry that as the government was formed, there were many quarrels between senior leaders Asad Umar, Jehangir Tareen and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
The internal strife hurt the government, opined Fawad. “Imran’s core team broke up. The new people are frankly not aligned with his idea and maybe don’t have the capacity to do so. The infighting has caused a lot of harm to the party and its political cadre.”
Fawad Chaudhry claimed Prime Minister Imran Khan has told the federal cabinet that if it does not perform within six months, matters may escalate. He added that PM Imran’s vision of systemic change was very clear before he came into power. The federal minister further said that it is the government’s own shortcomings that it cannot deliver.
Read More: Fights between Asad Umar, JKT and SMQ did not let PTI deliver, reveals Fawad Chaudhry
The party’s Standing Committee on Discipline and Accountability has issued a written order which states that Uzma’s basic party membership has been revoked.
“You have acted in a very irresponsible manner and your conduct is unbecoming of a PTI member therefore you have been expelled from the basic membership of the party,” the notice read. “As a consequence, you are also not eligible to hold any post or position at the parliamentary level,” it added. Uzma may challenge the decision within seven days with the party’s appellate committee.
According to the notification, a show cause notice was issued by the party to Uzma on June 15 and she was asked to appear before the party’s discipline committee on June 17 but the hearing was postponed after her husband contracted Covid-19. The hearing was subsequently held on June 27.
In Uzma Kardar’s audio leak – which she claimed was edited – she talked about the First Lady and the PM’s relationship with the establishment. https://t.co/uabDBB8p5f
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) July 5, 2020
The notice observes that Uzma’s formal letter was received, that she was “heard very carefully” and the “audio clips of her conversation” provided to the party were “considered” after which the decision was taken. Uzma had made “disrespectful remarks” about the First Lady Bushra Bibi.
The controversy stems from an audio call leaked on social media wherein the PTI MPA can be heard saying indecent things about Bushra Bibi. She also passed remarks on the role of some Punjab government high officials.
According to the report, a source close to Uzma said that her words were taken out of context, and edited from a private conversation.
Uzma Kardar’s alleged audio got leaked
Last month, Uzma Kardar was removed by Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan from the Media Strategy Committee and as a spokesperson for the provincial government. In the 2018 general elections, Uzma won a reserved seat for women as a candidate from the PTI.
She can be heard saying that First Lady Bushra Bibi possesses ‘jinns’. The MPA said that ‘establishment’ is currently playing a more prominent role. In the audio conversation MPA Uzma Kardar is discussing about Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and then Multan’s MPA Sabeen GUL that she was standing with CM in press talk and at CM’s every visit to Multan she is always given special protocols.
“Bushra Bibi has restricted the movement of PTI leaders in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence. There’s a line in the house which nobody can cross. She [Bushra] controls everything in the house,” the PTI MPA said in the leaked audio call that has been doing the rounds on social media.
Read More: Through Ebbs & Flows: The Political Journey of PTI & Its Current Challenges
She said that ‘establishment’ is playing a very prominent role and has controlled the media. “There is a clear message that establishment and government are on one page. It is good because no government can survive without the support of establishment in Pakistan,” she added.
It is yet to be known whether Ms. Kardar shall file a review petition or not.