In a significant development, Shaukat Tarin, the former Finance Minister of Pakistan, has resigned from his position in the Senate and parted ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party led by Imran Khan. Tarin confirmed this news during an interview with Private News Channel and announced his departure from politics.
Tarin’s exit is the latest in a series of departures from the PTI, which has been experiencing a decline amidst various legal and political challenges. Notable figures who previously left the party include Asad Umar, Usman Dar, Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, and Pervez Khattak.
The PTI has faced a turbulent period since May 9, a day marked by violent incidents involving party workers after Imran Khan’s arrest, leading to a crackdown and the arrests of numerous party workers and leaders, including Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Tarin initially served as Finance Minister from April 2021 but had to step down after six months due to his non-lawmaker status. Imran Khan then appointed him as an adviser on finance. In December of the same year, Tarin won a Senate by-election and rejoined the cabinet as Finance Minister. His tenure was short-lived, however, as the PTI government was ousted from power following a no-confidence vote against Imran Khan in April 2022.
Before his involvement with PTI, Tarin also served as the Federal Finance Minister during the Pakistan Peoples Party government from October 2008 to February 2010. His departure marks a significant shift in the PTI’s political landscape.
