MPA Nadir Akmal Leghari joins PPP

A former provincial minister and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Sindh, Nadir Akmal Khan Leghari, announced joining the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday.

Leghari used to earlier serve as the provincial president of the PTI in Sindh - a position now held by MNA Dr Arif Alvi -. His joining the PPP is being considered a major setback to the PTI in the province, by political analysts.

The former senior PTI leader announced switching sides with the PPP after he met with former president, and patron-in-chief of the PPP, Asif Zardari at the Bilawal House. Leghari was said to have expressed complete confidence in Zardari and PPP chief, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s, leadership.

Known for his political experience in Sindh’s politics, Nadir Leghari served as the provincial irrigation and power minister from 2002 to 2007, during Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) led provincial government in the province.

A day earlier, former PPP MNA Nabil Gabol, who has a strong support base in Lyari had announced rejoining the PPP after he severed ties with the party four years ago.

Gabol had then joined the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and was elected an MNA on the party’s ticket in 2013’s general elections; he resigned from the party and his seat in February 2015.