IPP chief Jahangir Tareen quits politics

In a shocking turn of events, Istekhan-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) Patron-in-chief Jahangir Tareen has resigned from the position as party chairman and decided to quit politics altogether, ARY News reported on Monday.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported me in this election and want to offer my congratulations to my opponents,” the sugar baron in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

I would like to thank everyone who supported me in this election and want to offer my congratulations to my opponents. I have immense respect for the will of the people of Pakistan. Therefore, I have decided to resign from my position as Chairman IPP and step away from politics…

— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) February 12, 2024

“I have immense respect for the will of the people of Pakistan,” he said, offering his gratitude to all members of Istekhan-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) – formed after May 9 events.

Furthermore, Jahangir Tareen said: “I will continue to serve my country to the best of my ability in a private capacity. May the next few years see Pakistan prosper.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Jahangir Tareen faced defeat in both constituencies of the National Assembly in the Feb 8 general elections.

Tareen contested from NA-149 and NA-155 Lodhran-2 but was unable to clinch victory as per unofficial results.

The results from 369 polling stations in Lodhran revealed that PML-N candidate Sadiqque Khan Baloch emerged victorious in NA-155 with 117,671 votes, while Tareen garnered only 71,128 votes.

Similarly, Tareen suffered defeat in NA-149 Multan where he secured 50,166 votes. PTI-backed independent candidate Malik Amir Dogar triumphed in NA-149 with 143,613 votes.

Reacting to the development, IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan said Tareen will always be the patron-in-chief for the IPP and all of them. He further said that Tareen’s presence in any government was an honour for that government.

“As a younger brother and IPP president, I pay tribute to him and his philanthropic activities. May Allah bless them with health, safety and success. Amen,” he said in a post on X.

جہانگیر خان ترین صاحب کے فیصلے سے دلی دُکھ ہوا۔ وہ ہمیشہ آئی پی پی اور ہم سب کے سرپرست اعلیٰ رہیں گے۔ اُن کا کسی بھی حکومت میں ہونااُس حکومت کے لیے اعزاز کی بات ہے۔ سیاست سے ہٹ کر وہ انسانیت کا درد رکھنے والی شخصیت ہیں۔ بطورچھوٹا بھائی اور آئی پی پی صدر کی حیثیت سےانہیں اور اُن… https://t.co/qlnTQpB9OU

— Abdul Aleem Khan (@abdul_aleemkhan) February 12, 2024

Aleem Khan had emerged victorious in both NA-117 and Lahore’s provincial assembly constituency PP-149.