ISLAMABAD: Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has announced that he is leaving Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), saying he wishes to campaign freely for democracy and human rights.
The ex-lawmaker made the revelation during an appearance on a TV show on Thursday. He said he had formally submitted his resignation on September 19 while aboard the Global Samud Flotilla but had yet to receive an official response from the party.
Explaining his decision, Ahmad said that every organisation has its limitations and that sometimes one must step away to work independently.
“I want to openly advocate for human rights, democracy, free media, Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Palestine, and the constitutional rights of the federating units,” he stated.
He added that he intends to meet political and rights figures such as Ali Wazir, Mahrang Baloch, and Manzoor Pashteen, and also urged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan be given a fair trial.
Reflecting on the personal toll of his decision, Ahmad shared that the night he resigned, he wept as deeply as he had when his mother passed away.
