In a major win for PTI, leaders of PPP, PML-N, and Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) have formally joined the party. The leaders from PML-N, PPP, and QWP met with PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan and announced their decision to join the party.
According to the details, former PML-N MNA Naseem Mehdi Shah along with his son Salman joined hands with the PTI Chief. Salman Shah received over 14,000 votes from PP231 Vehari during the 2018 elections.
Similarly, PPP Ex-MNA Khawaja Ghulam Rasool Koreja (also known as Khawaja Qutb Fareed Koreja) from Rahim Yar Khan and District General Secretary of PPP Chaudhry Jahanzeb joined PTI, expressing their commitment to actively participate in the party movement for ‘real freedom’.
Read more: Tired of goons: Miftah Ismail quits as PML-N Sindh’s SG
Former QWP MPA from Charsadda Babar Ali Khan Mohmand met Imran Khan and announced joining the party. He expressed full confidence in the PTI leadership. Imran Khan welcomed the newcomers, hoping they will strengthen the party.
پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن کے سابق ایم این اے وہاڑی نسیم مہدی شاہ اور ان کے بیٹے سلمان مہدی شاہ نے سینیٹر عون عباس بپی صدر جنوبی پنجاب کی موجودگی میں عمران خان کی قیادت میں پاکستان تحریک انصاف میں شمولیت اختیار کرلی- pic.twitter.com/gs6b4Vv9vb
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 16, 2022
Changing tides for PML-N & PPP?
Interestingly, earlier this year, PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry had predicted that before the 2023 elections, many leaders in the PML-N would raise their voices against the dictatorship in the party and part ways. PPP will also face a similar situation.
نون لیگ میں شریف خاندان کے یکطرفہ فیصلوں کی وجہ سےچوہدری نثار جیسا منجھا ہوا سیاستدان پارٹی سے کنارہ کشی کر گیا، شاہد خاقان عباسی کےتحفظات ابھی نقطہ آغازہے2023 سے پہلےبہت لوگ پارٹی میں بادشاہی نظام کے خلاف آواز بلند کر کے انہیں چھوڑ جائیںنگے پیپلز پارٹی بھی اسی صورتحال سےدوچارہے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 7, 2022
In June, two former PML-N MNAs from the Lodhran district joined PTI. Former PML-N MNA Pir Iqbal Shah and former MPA Pir Amir Shah decided to join PTI after PML-N decided to give party tickets to dissident PTI MPAs.
“Loyal party members not required to PML-N now, the party is now awarding tickets to defecting members and turncoats,” Pir Iqbal Shah was quoted as saying. Pertinent to mention, Pir Iqbal Shah, a former MNA, had defeated Jahangir Tareen’s son Ali Tareen in a by-election in 2018.
Furthermore, according to reports, PML-N had tried to stop Iqbal Shah and Amir Shah from quitting the party. PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz had reportedly also expressed his disappointment at PML-N for failing to convince Iqbal Shah and Amir Shah.
Read more: Another blow to PML-N: Former Governor Punjab Zulfiqar Khosa joins PTI