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Former Glasgow MP Mohammad Sarwar resigns as governor of Punjab | Former Glasgow MP Mohammad Sarwar resigns as governor of Punjab |
(3 months later) | |
Former Glasgow Govan MP Mohammad Sarwar has resigned as governor of Punjab in Pakistan. | Former Glasgow Govan MP Mohammad Sarwar has resigned as governor of Punjab in Pakistan. |
His departure comes two days after he criticised the federal government for failing to enter into a new trade partnership with the US. | His departure comes two days after he criticised the federal government for failing to enter into a new trade partnership with the US. |
The 62-year-old, who became Britain's first Muslim MP in 1997, tweeted that it had been an honour to serve. | The 62-year-old, who became Britain's first Muslim MP in 1997, tweeted that it had been an honour to serve. |
However, he also criticised Pakistan's "injustice and corruption" which he claimed was "deep rooted". | However, he also criticised Pakistan's "injustice and corruption" which he claimed was "deep rooted". |
He said he would continue to "strive for a better and secure Pakistan", adding: "I shall do everything possible to achieve a better and corruption free Pakistan." | He said he would continue to "strive for a better and secure Pakistan", adding: "I shall do everything possible to achieve a better and corruption free Pakistan." |
Analysis | |
By M Ilyas Khan, BBC News, Islamabad | |
PM Sharif had specially invited Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar to come to Pakistan and be the governor of Punjab after he won a majority in the 2013 election. | |
It appears he was asked to turn in his resignation following his controversial remarks at a public function in Lahore on Tuesday that US President Barack Obama's visit to India, while ignoring Pakistan, was a "diplomatic failure of Islamabad". | |
Such criticism of Mr Sharif's foreign policy is indicative of differences that have been simmering between him and Mr Sarwar since the August dharna - or sit-in - started by Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri. | |
A PTI dissident, Javed Hashmi, claimed that Chaudhry Sarwar had been part of the so-called London Plan - a meeting he is said to have facilitated between Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri to make plans for the sit-in. Mr Sarwar never categorically denied that claim. | |
Subsequently there have been frequent reports of his close contacts with Imran Khan's PTI party. | |
Some quarters speculate he might stay on in Pakistan instead of returning to the UK, and possibly help in re-organising the PTI on the lines of the British Labour Party. | |
Chaudhry Sarwar has no prior political legacy in Pakistan. | |
Mr Sarwar won his Scottish Westminster seat in Tony Blair's first Labour government. | Mr Sarwar won his Scottish Westminster seat in Tony Blair's first Labour government. |
He stepped down ahead of the General Election in 2010 and became governor of Punjab in 2013. | He stepped down ahead of the General Election in 2010 and became governor of Punjab in 2013. |
Earlier this week the millionaire businessman said it had been a failure of Pakistan's civil bureaucracy that Barack Obama had not visited the country. | Earlier this week the millionaire businessman said it had been a failure of Pakistan's civil bureaucracy that Barack Obama had not visited the country. |
While the American president did not sign a deal with Pakistan he entered into a multi-billion dollar trade and defence agreement with neighbouring India. | While the American president did not sign a deal with Pakistan he entered into a multi-billion dollar trade and defence agreement with neighbouring India. |
Following the resignation, Mr Sarwar published a number of tweets, including one which read: "I will continue serving Pakistan in my individual capacity." | Following the resignation, Mr Sarwar published a number of tweets, including one which read: "I will continue serving Pakistan in my individual capacity." |
He was born in Punjab, which is home to half of Pakistan's 180 million people, but came to Britain in the early 1970s. | He was born in Punjab, which is home to half of Pakistan's 180 million people, but came to Britain in the early 1970s. |
Mr Sarwar, who gave up his British citizenship to take on the senior role in Pakistan, has spoken in the past of his early life as the son of a farmer, walking miles to school each day. | Mr Sarwar, who gave up his British citizenship to take on the senior role in Pakistan, has spoken in the past of his early life as the son of a farmer, walking miles to school each day. |
The father-of-four went on to become a very successful entrepreneur, making millions from a cash and carry business. | The father-of-four went on to become a very successful entrepreneur, making millions from a cash and carry business. |
Mr Sarwar's son, Anas Sarwar, won the Westminster seat vacated by his father. | Mr Sarwar's son, Anas Sarwar, won the Westminster seat vacated by his father. |