LAHORE (Staff Report) – Riaz-ul-Haq Juj, the winning independent candidate from NA-144 Okara, has demanded federal ministry for joining the ruling PML-N.
Both the ruling PML-N and the opposition’s PTI are trying hard to win over the NA-144 victor.
Read more: Riazul Haq Juj wins NA-144 Okara by-polls
The top PML-N leadership recently contacted him through telephone and offered the portfolio of state minister in the federal cabinet. On the other hand, senior PTI leaders – Chaudhry Sarwar and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid personally visited the residence of Juj earlier this week and invited him to join the party.
PTI MPA Chaudhry Masud Shafqat Rubera, who had virtually rebelled against the leadership by openly supporting Juj instead of the party candidate Ashraf Sohna in the by-election, was also present on the occasion.
Sources say the elders of Juj, including Flight Lt (r) Chaudhry Arshad Iqbal, neither gave a positive nor a negative response to the PML-N’s offer.
Sources further claimed that Juj has asked the ruling party for a free hand in nominating Chairman candidate of his own choice in upcoming local bodies’ election.
