BADIN: Former two-time Sindh minister and central leader of Pakistan Muslim League- Functional (PML-F) Syed Ali Bux aka Pappu Shah announced to join Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) today.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Shah — who is considered to be an arch rival of PPP since 1988 in Badin district — confirmed that he and his ex- senator wife, Bibi Yasmin Shah, have decided, in principle, to join PPP later today during a press conference at his residence in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area along with the party's top leadership.

Shah said that he took the decision in the best interests of the people of Badin district, adding that he had finalised the talks with PPP's top leadership, including co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali and MNA Faryal Talpur, Shah said, would take all possible measures to further strengthen PPP in Badin and other parts of Sindh with the help of his supporters and well wishers.

Shah has been contesting general elections since 1998 in Badin. He was initially elected a member of the Sindh Assembly in 1985 and later in 2002 on a ticket of Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) defeating late Haji Abdul Karim Bhurgri of PPP. He later also served as a provincial minister.

Few days ago, he had gone to the house of his arch rival and disgruntled PPP leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza to offer condolences on the death of latter' s father Justice (retd) Zafar Hussain Mirza, where both leaders promised to end a three-decade old political enmity for good and vowed to work together.

Speaking to Dawn, PPP MNA from Badin, Sardar Khan Chang and an official in CM House in Karachi also confirmed Shah's decision to join PPP.

Sources revealed that Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah had also played a crucial role in convincing Mr Shah to join PPP.