April 19, 2020
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to persuade disgruntled Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker from Karachi who resigned on Saturday.
Najeeb Haroon, who was elected from NA-256, had resigned from his seat citing lack of funds for uplift projects for his constituency.
Sources from Governor House Sindh told The News that the prime minister has directed the governor to convince Haroon to withdraw his resignation and assure him of addressing his grievances.
In his tweet earlier in the day, Haroon, who is also a PTI founding member, said, “I tender my resignation with a heavy heart”.
“It has been 20 months and has not been able to improve either my constituency or my hometown Karachi in good conscience cannot justify being in this position,” he said.
Haroon had defeated the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's candidate Amir Wali Uddin Chishti and Jammat-e-Islami’s Dr. Meraj Ul Huda Siddiqui who secured 45,575 and 22,364 votes respectively.
In a letter attached alongside his tweet, Haroon said that it had been 20 months since taking oath as an MNA but he had been unable to contribute towards the betterment of his constituency.
Haroon told the prime minister that he believes that he had lost his confidence, adding that while he was not a burden on the national exchequer he does not feel justified in continuing with his position.
The PTI leader reaffirmed his faith in PM Imran but said he was reflecting on this decision for the past eight months.
Reacting to the development, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani urged the PTI lawmaker to withdraw resignation and speak his conscience in the National Assembly.
“I’ve great respect for you Najeeb Haroon but as per rules resignation should be addressed to Speaker NA. No other person not even leader of the house/party leader can send resignation to speaker on behalf of any member.”
“Would be better if you remain in NA and speak your conscience,” Ghani said.