MULTAN – Disgruntled lawmakers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and leaders from south Punjab has reportedly reached an agreement with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The defectors, who later formed Janoobi Punjab Suba Mahaz (South Punjab Province Front) for a separate administrative unit, has decided to join the Imran Khan-led party, local media reported citing sources.
An official announcement for the inclusion would be made after a meeting between the PTI chief and the leaders from south Punjab on Wednesday.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/5-mnas-three-mpas-leave-pml-n-to-pursue-cause-of-south-punjab/
Confirming the development, PTI leader Jahangir Tareen said that leaders of South Punjab Province Front would contest elections from his party’s platform.
In early April, as many as 8 legislators announced to leave the party to advocate the cause of South Punjab and demand a new province.
Addressing a press conference along with his fellows, Khusro Bakhtiar expressed that there was a need for new provinces to decentralise power and authority.
Bakhtiar, who hails from Rahim Yar Khan and had won the 2013 elections from NA-194, mentioned that the aim of the group was to create South Punjab province and the new Mahaz would be headed by Balkh Shair Mazari.
During the press conference, a total of six MNAs and two MPAs including Balkh Shair Mazari, Tahir Bashir Cheema, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, Salim Ullah Chaudhry, Sardar Dareshak, Basit Bukhari and Tahir Iqbal decided to tender resignation.
Later, the PML-N hints at reviving the issue of restoration of Bahawalpur province in order to offset the appeal of the disgruntled leaders.
