Big blow to PML-N as three MNAs join PTI

JHANG: Three sitting PML-N MNAs, one MPA and three former MPAs have switched over to the PTI, announcing their desertion in a meeting with party chairman Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala on Thursday.

The seasoned politicians, Sahibzada Nazir Sultan and Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, joined the PTI to get tickets for the 2018 elections. Sahibzada Nazir Sultan had won several previous elections on the PPP ticket and recently joined the PML-N after winning the 2013 elections. MNA Ghulam Bibi Bharwana is the maternal granddaughter and political heir to late Ghulam Haider Bharwana, who also won the 1970 elections on a JUP ticket by defeating Col Syed Abid Hussain, the late father of Syeda Abida Hussain. The desertion of these two MNAs is not likely to cause any major damage to the elections prospects of the PML-N in the Jhang district as the party has very strong substitute candidates. The deserters list also includes the names of former MPAs Muhammad Aslam Bharwana, Sh Muhammad Yaqoob and his spouse Rashida Yaqoob.  

Online adds from Faisalabad: PML-N MNA Col (retd) Ghulam Rasool Sahi on Thursday joined the PTI after resigning from the National Assembly. Rasool’s brother and MPA of the ruling PML-N from Faisalabad also announced joining the PTI. Ghulam Rasool Sahi and Muhammad Afzal Sahi, who were the PML-N legislators, met the PTI chairman and announced unconditional support to the party. A number of Rasool’s supporters also joined the party, the PTI said on its website.