ISLAMABAD: Criticizing Shah Mahmood Qureshi for quitting the party, Central Information Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Qamar Zaman Kaira on Tuesday said Mr Qureshi resigned for not getting portfolio of his choice.

Addressing a press conference along with Minister for Textile Makhdoom Shahbuddin here, he said that those, who left the PPP during Zuflikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto eras, had leveled the same allegations which Shah Mahmood was now hurling against the party leadership.

He said that Shah Mahmood wanted to continue as foreign minister but voiced against the government when he was not given portfolio of his choice.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Shah Mehmood Qureshi had got recognition and respect because of the party.

He expressed the confidence that the PPP would continue working for democracy.

He said that it was right of every leader within the party to have difference of opinion as the “PPP leadership has promoted the culture of tolerance and the difference of opinion is always accepted within the party.”

Qamar Zaman Kaira said the PPP was following the vision of Benazir Bhutto with full devotion under the guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari.

Responding a question, he said that there was no grouping within the party and added that Qureshi was fighting for his own survival.

Responding to another question, he said Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Dr Zulfikar Mirza were two separate issues.

Kaira said that the people of South Punjab were not happy with Qureshi and added, “the PPP is most active party in Southern Punjab.”