MURREE: Former Murree town nazim Sardar Mohammed Saleem Khan has joined Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf  (PTI) along with five union council nazims and six naib nazims.

He announced his decision while addressing the PTI sit-in in Islamabad. Earlier, he met Imran Khan at his Banigala residence.

Mr Khan was elected town nazim as an independent candidate as his party Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) did not award him the party ticket.

During his tenure, many projects were launched including gas supply to the resort town and Neelum-Jhelum Bulk Water Supply scheme. He was a joint candidate of PPP-PML-Q for Punjab Assembly elections 2013 but was defeated by Raja Ishfaq Sarwar of the PML-N.

According to political analysts, Sardar Saleem Khan’s joining of PTI would have an impact on the politics of NA-50 (Murree and Kotli Sattian) but his opponents, who are already with the PTI, would give him a tough time in the award of ticket in any future elections.

Published in Dawn, November 30th , 2014