Dr Zulfiqar Mirza likely to join PML-N

BY: SAWAN KHASKHELI

Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) leader and former Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza is likely to join the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N). The final decision is subject to the gratification of former National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza.

The differences between Mirza and the party leader cropped up further when the major tasks of the party were anointed to Muhammad Ismail Rahu—who recently quit the PML-N and has joined PPP.

According to credible sources, Dr Mirza has called meetings with PML-N senior leader and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan twice last week and had also held a number of meetings with the other PML-N senior leaders.

Source also apprised that Dr Mirza has finally decided to return to politics and is planning to give tough time to PPP’s candidates in the upcoming general elections.

Dr Mirza after joining the PML-N will also announce development packages for Sindh, the sources added.

Dr Mirza has called on an important meeting with his close aides, politicians and elected representatives on May 15, 2017, at his residence for consultation and future plan, said the sources.

The estranged PPP leader is likely to announce his inclusion to PML-N during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s expected visit to Badin in late May.

Earlier, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza was critical of the party when rumours of Irfanullah Khan Marwat joining the PPP circulated.

Dr Mirza was of the view that the PPP co-chairman was inviting everyone to his party and now all those hated by Benazir Bhutto were finding their way into the party.

Moreover, last year Dr Zulfiqar Mirza received backlash from the party when he claimed that there were ‘serious differences’ between Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his father, former President and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari.