GUJRAT: The PPP may suffer another blow in Mandi Bahauddin district as ex-MPA Waseem Afzal Chan is likely to join the Pakistan Tehreek Insaf on Wednesday during a meeting with party Chairman Imran Khan at latter’s Banni Gala residence.

Waseem Chan is younger brother of senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan.

Senior PTI leader and former federal minister of PPP, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, confirmed the reports of junior Chan’s joining of the PTI while talking to Dawn by telephone here on Tuesday.

Mr Gondal is said to have persuaded his maternal nephew Waseem to join the PTI as part of his efforts to strengthen his position in NA-109 (Malakwal-Qadirabad), in 2018 polls.

Waseem Chan had been elected as an MPA on PPP ticket from PP-119 (Malakwal) back in 2008 elections. The constituency had sent his father, former provincial minister Haji Muhammad Afzal Chan to the Punjab Assembly. However, he had lost as a PPP nominee from the constituency in 2013 polls.

About MNA Nadeem Afzal Chan’s chances of following suit, Gondal said it was up to him (Nadeem) whether he would join the PTI or not. But, on Waseem Chan’s decision, Mr Gondal said without being on the same political platform, neither of them (he and junior Chan) could win the next polls. This political expediency has apparently made the decision easy for Waseem.

Ex-PPP MNA Tariq Tarrar had earlier joined the PTI from Mandi Bahauddin district more than two years ago.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2017