The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Wednesday suffered another setback in Punjab after Saifuddin Khosa, a sitting MNA, announced to join the Pakistan People’s Party. Elected from NA-173 Dera Ghazi Khan-III constituency, Saifuddin Khan Khosa is the son of Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Last week, Raja Muhammad Afzal from Jhelum had announced to join the PPP along with his two sons. Announcing to join the PPP, Saifuddin said he had serious reservations over various policies of the PML-N, particularly over the creation of South Punjab province.
“I was very close to the PML-N leadership but I never found them sincere on the issue. They are just playing with public emotions,” Khosa said while addressing a news conference.
Khosa said he had decided to join the PPP after being impressed by party’s sincerity and its efforts for the creation of new province.
He also criticised the PML-N leadership for not being part of the commission constituted for the creation of new provinces.
“It should have been better if the PML-N leadership gave recommendations for the creation of new provinces, but they wanted to delay the issue.”
He admitted that he had been pressured by family members but he had chosen a way for the benefit of the masses.
Saif said the Punjab government had announced special package for three divisions of South Punjab worth Rs 30 billion, contrary to the fact that Rs 40 billing were being spent only on a bus project in Lahore.
To a question, he said the next election would decide the popularity of the PPP in Dera Ghazi Khan.
He said the Benazir Income Support Programme was helping the poor segments of the society in southern Punjab transparently.
Saif said he had joined the PPP and would abide by party leadership’s decisions regarding new province.
On the occasion, PPP Women Wing President Faryal Talpur welcomed Saifuddin Khosa in the party and said his joining would further strengthen the PPP.
She said her party had always followed politics of principles for the welfare of the people.
To a question, Saif said it was the maturity of politics that people in one family had different points of view.
In his remarks, PPP Secretary General Jehangir Badr said the PPP represented the will of the people and welcomed people belonging to all areas in its fold.
