LAHORE, Dec 25: Two former MPAs from Bahawalpur joined the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) while a former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate from Chakwal announced joining the PML-Q.

Former MPAs of Bahawalpur district -- Salman Gardezi and Irfan Gardezi and former district council member Sajid Husain Bukhari -- announced quitting the PML-N and joining the PPP at a press conference at the Governor’s House. PPP Central Punjab President Manzoor Wattoo and secretary-general Tanvir Kaira were also present.

Wattoo said more PML-N men would soon join the PPP. He said after the joining of the Gardezis, the PPP would get strengthened in Bahawalpur district.

About Governor Ahmad Mahmood’s ‘soft corner’ for the PML-N, Wattoo advised the PML-N to reciprocate his (governor) gesture. Also, PML-N ticket holder from PP-22 Chakwal Pir Nisar Qasim announced joining the PML-Q.

He made the announcement at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Pervaiz Elahi at his residence.

Pir Qasim expressed confidence in the leadership of Chaudhry Shujaat Husain and Mr Elahi. He said the Sharif brothers did not listen to their parliamentarians and only imposed their orders. The most of the N-League legislators were not happy with them and some of them were pondering quitting the PML-N, he said.

Mr Elahi said with his joining of Qasim the PML would be stronger in Chakwal. He said the provision of basic facilities to the people was his party’s mission.

“We have also launched plans for providing gas to the villages as his party always has given preference and special attention to the development of backward and rural areas,” he said.