RAHIM YAR KHAN: Mian Islam Aslam, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) former member of the provincial assembly (MPA) from PP-257, Liaqatpur tehsil, has parted ways with the party along with other local leaders after 33 years of association.

In a press conference held in Liaqatpur on Tuesday, Aslam announced his resignation along with over 50 of his companions.

During the press conference, Aslam did not disclose which new political party he would be joining, but he claimed that the PPP would sweep the district in the upcoming elections.

He alleged that the PML-N favoured “turncoats” while neglecting and disrespecting loyal workers like himself who had dedicated 33 years of their lives to the party.

He recalled joining the PML-N during the Musharaf regime when no one dared to do so. At that time, he claimed that a clear majority of his 1,500 votes were converted into a minority for PML-Q candidate Chaudhry Mahmood Ahmed. And now he expressed disappointment that the PML-N had awarded the PP-257 ticket to the same candidate who had once opposed them.

He said in Rahim Yar Khan except Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal Gujjar, Khalid Shaheen and ex-MPA Chaudhry Shafiq from Sadiqabad, no one was sincere with the PML-N because they hadn’t changed the party from day one. He alleged that the ‘capitalists’ of Rahim Yar Khan had opposed him for the ticket.

During the press conference, several former PML-N nazims, chairmen, councillors, and other office-bearers from Cholistan, Abbasia villages, Liaqatpur city, and the Kacha area also announced their resignations from the PML-N.

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2023