Muhammad Zubair leaves PML-N due to ‘unspecified reservations’

KARACHI: Former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair announced on Sunday that he is leaving the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) due to unspecified “reservations”.

In an interview with a private TV channel, Zubair mentioned that he would decide his future political plans in consultation with his “friends”. His departure follows that of other high-profile leaders, such as former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-finance minister Miftah Ismail.

Zubair has been vocal in his criticism of the current government, established after the February 8 elections.

He indicated his dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership, likening his situation to that of Abbasi. When allegations of election manipulation were made by former Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chatha, Zubair suggested the PML-N should publicly accept defeat to move forward, although Chatha later retracted his claims.

Zubair’s next political move remains uncertain, with no clear indication if he will join another party. Abbasi, on April 8, sought to register a new political party with the Election Commission of Pakistan, and Ismail supports creating a new party focused on integrity and competence.

Zubair expressed continued support for Nawaz Sharif’s stance of resistance, contrasting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s reconciliatory approach.

He confirmed his intention to stay active in national politics, although he has yet to choose a new political platform. He emphasized his lack of disagreement with Nawaz Sharif, appreciating the opportunities and positions Nawaz had provided him.

Zubair criticized the PML-N for abandoning its principles post-Imran Khan’s no-confidence vote, stating that the party failed to showcase any achievements during its subsequent 16-month tenure. He highlighted the conflicting narratives within the PML-N: Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz’s call to “respect the ballot” versus Shehbaz’s pragmatic approach to gaining power.

Profile Summary: Muhammad Zubair, a notable PML-N leader, served as the Sindh governor from February 2017 to August 2018. An IBA graduate, he spent 26 years at IBM in various international roles before joining the PML-N. His political career includes positions such as Chairman of the Board of Investment and Chairman of the Privatisation Commission. Zubair is the son of General (retd) Ghulam Umar and the elder brother of former PTI leader Asad Umar. He holds an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, and has taught Financial Management there from 1981-1986.