Sunday May 28, 2023
Sources say PTI defectors are expressing their desire to join PML-Q.
Ask the party to give them tickets to contest in the next polls.
PML-Q's Chaudhry Sarwar was given the task of conducting interviews with ex-MPAs.
ISLAMABAD: As many as 26 former MPAs from Punjab have turned to the Quaid's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) after they jumped the sinking ship of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the recent rampage following the protests of 9. He reported on Sunday newspaper The News citing sources.
The country's politics is experiencing one of its worst upheavals in history, with the PTI facing a mass exodus and crackdown on violent protests.
The arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan in a £190 million settlement case on 9 May and subsequent violent events amid protests that saw unruly followers and workers attack and set fire to government facilities almost across the country triggered a mass exodus of leaders from the party.
As per the report, these PTI deserters have expressed their inclination to join the PML-Q, which is led by PTI President Chaudhry Parvez Elahi's cousin Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. Sources said the ex-MPAs have requested the party leadership to give them tickets to contest the upcoming elections in case they join the party.
Those who contacted the PML-Q leadership include Faizullah Kamoka, Chaudhry Akhlaq and others.
Meanwhile, PML-Q senior leader Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has been tasked with holding talks with former assemblymen and other parties. He also has the power to edit PTI members. Most of the PTI members who contacted PML-Q belong to south Punjab.
Heat
Khan's party is feeling the heat of state power after his party workers burnt and smashed military installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, following his arrest on May 9 - a day the military called a "black day".
Almost three days of protests have also left at least eight dead and dozens injured, with the ruling coalition government suspending internet services and deploying army troops to maintain the law and order situation.
Following the unprecedented attacks on defense and public property, a crackdown was launched against the PTI to nab a suspect involved in the vandalism, with the country's top civil-military leadership vowing to prosecute the rioters under the country's relevant laws, including the Army Act.
Several party leaders and thousands of workers were arrested in connection with the violent protests.
A close adviser to Khan, Asad Umar, resigned as general secretary and core committee member citing the ongoing situation, while several other senior members including Fawad Chaudhary, Shireen Mazari, Maleek Bokhari and Fayyazul Hassan Chohan parted ways with Khan.
PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi and former Sindh Governor Imran Ismail are the latest to jump ship.
They have publicly condemned the attacks on state installations and announced a departure from the former ruling party since the May 9 vandalism, with some blaming Khan's policies for the attacks on military installations.
