August 27, 2008	Wednesday	Sha'aban 24, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) MNA from Chitral Shahzada Mohiuddin has said he has decided to join the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the best interest of his constituency which remains the most neglected district of the country.

He said his decision would usher in a new era of development and progress in the area.

Mr Mohiuddin returned from NA-32 Chitral in the February 18 elections on the ticket of the PML-Q. During the election campaign, he urged the people of Chitral to vote for Pervez Musharraf for launching mega projects in the district including the Rs9 billion Lowari rail tunnel.

However, talking to Dawn here on Tuesday, he said after Musharraf’s ouster his stay in the PML-Q would not be in the interest of his area, adding Chaudhrys of Punjab have no political presence in the area. “Had Musharraf remained in the political scene even without the political support of any party I would have continued supporting him,” he added.

He said funds were needed to start new development schemes and to complete a number of ongoing projects launched by the former president in the area. “Therefore, people of my constituency have asked me to support the government as by sitting in the opposition I would not be able to complete the ongoing projects and launch new ones,” he added.

He said PPP workers and activists in Chitral also welcomed his decision to join the party. He said he had strong vote bank in the valley and since 1985 he had been elected twice chairman district council, once district nazim and four times member National Assembly.

“The area has also been a stronghold of the PPP but due to lack of leadership the party has been losing ground and my joining of the party would strengthen it at the grassroots level,” he added.