DERA GHAZI KHAN, Feb 9: Veteran Muslim League-Nawaz leader Senator Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa on Saturday ‘formally’ announced here at a press conference he would contest the upcoming general election against his rebel son, MNA Saifuddin Khosa, who has defected to Pakistan People’s Party.

Flanked by his sons Dost Mohammad and Hassam, both PML-N MPAs and another party MPA Mir Badshah Khan Qaisrani, Khosa complained in an emotional tone that he had been stabbed in the back by his son (Saif) in spite of the effort he put in his grooming.

Mr Khosa, who is also the chief of his tribe, referred to social, tribal and religious dictums that made it binding for a son to obey his father.

MPA Amjad Farooq Khosa, a cousin of Khosa senior, who had joined the PML-N after getting elected independently in 2008 election, was conspicuous by his absence from the press conference.

About a week ago, Mr Khosa had told journalists in Lahore he would contest next election against his son, Saifuddin.

The veteran politician expressed his resolve to contest poll against his son in the election to defend his party, without mentioning any particular constituency. Local observers are of the view that Khosa might go for PP-243 from where Saifuddin had got elected in 2008 elections, besides NA-173. Later, Saif had resigned from the seat.

Commenting on the allegation leveled by Saif that PML-N was opposing the creation of a Seraiki province, Senator Zulfiqar Khosa said Nawaz Sharif had already announced in October 2011 in DG Khan during the “Go Zardari” movement that Bahawalpur and south Punjab provinces should be carved out.

He also referred to the Punjab Assembly’s unanimous resolution for the establishment of south Punjab province that was sent to the National Assembly for further processing. He rejected the idea of two capitals in proposed Bahawalpur Janoobi Punjab province.

He said the PML-N government had spent Rs11.64 billion since 2008 on the development projects in DG Khan. He said besides establishment of university and colleges in Choti Wahowa, Taunsa and Kot Chhuta, the government had ‘gifted’ a medical college to the city.

With regard to Nawaz Sharif’s refusal to mediate between the federal government and Taliban, Khosa said how could the party trust President Zardari.

The senator replied he would obey the party decision regarding inclusion of Legharis of Choti in the PML- N.

He said only locals would decide whether DG Khan should be part of the new province or of Balochistan.