MITHI: Arbab Lutfullah, a nephew of former Sindh chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, is all set to join the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) during a big public gathering at Dodharo farmhouse near Kaloi on Monday (today).

MNA Faryal Talpur and other top PPP leaders are expected to attend the event and speak on the occasion.

Talking to local reporters on Sunday, the junior Arbab said that despite stiff resistance from his close relatives, he made the decision to join the PPP in the best interest of the people of Thar, Badin, Umerkot and other areas.

He said he wanted to continue the legacy of his late father Arbab Ameer Hassan, who was better known as the ‘ uncrowned king of Thar’. Arbab said thousands of people would attend this historic event in Thar.

On the direction of the PPP leadership, he said, he would be ready to contest elections from PS-60, from where his uncle Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim is the member of Sindh Assembly.

The decision of Arbab Lutfullah has created dents in the Arbab Group, which has remained unbeatable for decades in Thar.

When contacted comrade Nandlall Malhi, information secretary of the PPP Thar chapter, told Dawn that Ms Faryal had already confirmed her presence in the event.

According to Thar SSP Ameer Saud Magsi, tight secuirty measures have been made to give foolproof security to the PPP leaders at the public gathering.

In the aftermath of the decision of junior Arbab, irrigation officials released water in the only irrigation outlet of the desert area up to its tail after a decade. People heaved a sigh of relief after seeing water in the outlet.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2017