Influential political leaders in Punjab, including the sons of former president Farooq Leghari, Jehangir Khan Tarin and Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri have decided to join the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) to secure their political future in the next elections.
According to sources, member of the National Assembly (MNA) Owais Leghari and Jamal Leghari – both presently associated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) — would announce their decision to join the PTI today (Monday), as they were not comfortable with their party’s alliance with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Amongst others expected to join the PTI from PML-Q and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) include Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Sikandar Bosan, Ishaq Khakwani, Col (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, G.G Jamal, Senator Mohabat Khan Marri and others. “The group of former and sitting parliamentarians will join the Imran Khan’s party in a press conference to be held at National Press Club at 3 pm,” Ishaq Khakwani and Ghulam Sarwar Khan told Pakistan Today.
Operating under the leadership of Jahangir Khan Tareen, the self-labeled ‘Clean Party’ made the decision after PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed reluctance in forging an alliance with any political party. Previously, the group had been mulling a political alliance with the PTI after getting a new political party registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Jahangir Tareen, Sikandar Bosan, Ishaq Khakwani, Col (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema, G.G Jamal, Awais Legari held ministerial berths in previous government of PML-Q from 2002 to 2007 and their defection from the Q-League will prove a major blow to the Chaudhrys who have been striving hard to keep Musharraf’s launched version of Muslim League intact. Separately, chairman steering committee PML-Likeminded and former foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri will announce his decision to join the PTI. The Tareen-led group met a number of times in the last few weeks in Lahore and Islamabad to decide the group’s future course of action. When asked to comment on legal challenges to sitting parliamentarians including Jahangir Tareen, Jamal Leghari, Awais Leghari and Mohabat Khan Marri on joining the PTI, Ishaq Khakwani said PML-Q dissident leaders were not afraid of disqualification references.
On the other hand, a meeting of the Steering Committee of the PML-Likeminded is scheduled to be held in Lahore on Tuesday to decide about an alliance with the PML-N or PTI. Strong differences exist between party leaders, sources claim. PTI sources said that a number of politicians from Multan, considered supporters of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, would join the party’s fold in the coming few days. They include former Federal Minister Sikandar Bosan, former Provincial Minister Hafiz Iqbal Khakwani and other PPP MPAs. Staff Report
Meanwhile, renowned Punjabi singer Abrar-u-Haq is set to join PTI and will make an official announcement today ( Monday) at his residence U Block DHA Lahore. PTI Chairman Imran Khan will participate in the press conference. On Tuesday, Imran Khan will visit Kasur and talk with former Foreign Minster Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri who will announce his decision to join PTI.
Legharis, Tarin, Kasuri to jump aboard PTI ship
