PML-N's lawmaker from Thar Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani has decided to defect to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), DawnNewsTV reported on Friday.

Dr Vankwani, who is also the chief patron of Pakistan Hindu Council, informed Dawn that he would make a formal announcement during a press conference on April 7 at Bani Gala in the presence of PTI chief Imran Khan.

The lawmaker said he has taken the decision "to serve the people of Thar and the rest of the country by joining hands with Imran Khan", who according to Dr Vankwani was "struggling [to bring] a real change in the lives of people".

Dr Vankwani said he was "fed-up with the PML-N 'quaid' for his [anti-judiciary] stance and aggressive policies", and remarked that the PML-N government had "made Siddiqul Farooq chairman of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) illegally".

The MNA said he was invited by senior PTI leaders to join their party and he took the decision after consulting his supporters.

The announcement comes a day after Dr Vankwani had accused the government of violating merit in appointments during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services (NHS).

Talking to media persons after the meeting, Dr Vankwani said the PML-N government had claimed that the heads of corporations would be appointed on merit and through a proper mechanism but never implemented the same.

“I have raised the issue in front of Nawaz Sharif over the past five years because I was not scared of him. I am the head of Pakistan Hindu Council and Nawaz Sharif needs me, I don't need him,” he said.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...