January 18, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 27, 1427

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ATTOCK, Jan 17: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Member of Punjab Assembly from Attock Syed Ejaz Shah Bukhari is likely to announce his joining the ruling Pakistan Muslim League in a public meeting to be addressed by Chief Minister Ch Pervaiz Elahi in Pindigheb on Friday, it has been learnt.

Sources close to MPA Bukhari told this reporter that the MPA had already conveyed his consent to the PML leadership and would nail his colors to the mast in the public meeting.

According to local political analysts the decision of Mr Bukhari, who is also a close relative of a serving general, would not only enable him to avail himself of the pending MPA grant without any political hindrance but also win him the ruling party ticket for PP-15 (Attock) in the forthcoming general elections.

When this reporter contacted the MPA to seek his comments on joining the PML, he remarked that he would not deny the report.

Syed Raza Naqvi, a henchman of MPA Bukhari, is learnt to have played an important role in this regard. Mr Naqvi was reported to be annoyed with Mr Bukhari when he broke ranks with PML-backed Khattar Group of District Nazim Tahir Sadik in the last local bodies elections and ignored his nephew Yawar Bukhari for the slot of Tehsil Nazim Attock.

It’s also pertinent to mention here that Mr Bukhari had joined MMA when Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had refused him ticket for PP-15 in the last general elections on the pressure of PPP central leader Malik Hakmeen Khan. The ticket was awarded to Malik Shahan Khan (Malik Hakmeen’s son). However, Mr Bukhari won the elections.