Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) parliamentary party Punjab has become active to block a possible forward bloc from provincial PPP members.
Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Raja Riaz took charge of the situation on Sunday after news about the formation of a forward block from PPP MPAs, Riaz telephoned the two party members who were accused of leading the block formation.
Riaz telephoned the two alleged rebel PPP members, Akhtar Malik and Abbas Raan and assured them of a meeting with PPP chief President Asif Ali Zardari.
The displeased PPP members told him of their reservations. The two PPP MPAs hail from Multan region and were dissatisfied with the stoppage of development funds and the conduct of Prime Minister Gilani towards them. Riaz assured them their grievances will be settled, development funds will be released and interference in their respective constituencies will be suspended.
Malik Abbass Raan confirmed the telephone conversation with Raja Riaz to Pakistan Today and said they will meet Riaz when he calls upon them. However, he said , “While they will respect party leadership, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and his son were creating a trouble in the Multan division. He said everyone was aware the Multan PPP was grouped into two, the Gillani and Qureshi group. He said they were standing with Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He said they have the support of other PA MPAs from South Punjab and Central and Upper Punjab. He said he was bound to abide by party directions till 2013 but was free to follow his own will after.
He said PPP legislators were complaining opportunists were playing a dirty game to attain lucrative slots, while loyal party legislators were being ignored.
