8 PML-N lawmakers switch loyalties

Published May 10, 2018
PTI chief Imran Khan and MPA Abdul Razzaq Khan Niazi pose after the latter formally announced to join the party. —Photo courtesy PTI
PTI chief Imran Khan and MPA Abdul Razzaq Khan Niazi pose after the latter formally announced to join the party. —Photo courtesy PTI

Desertions from the PML-N continued on Thursday as six MNAs — two from Punjab and four from Balochistan — and two members of Punjab Assembly quit the party to join Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP).

MNA Raza Hayat Harraj from Khanewal and Rana Umar Nazir from Gujranwala formally announced to join the PTI after a meeting with party chief Imran Khan at his Banigala residence, DawnNewsTV reported.

Moreover, members of Punjab Assembly Abdul Razzaq Khan Niazi and Raheela Yahya Munawar also announced to join PTI at Imran Khan's Banigala residence.

Meanwhile, four MNAs from Balochistan — Jam Kamal Khan, Dostain Domki, Khalid Magsi and Khalil George — announced to join the newly formed BAP. Khan, Domki and Magsi had announced quitting PML-N last month.

"We have decided in principle to quit the party over its policies [of injustice] towards Balochistan", Khan, a former state minister and MNA from Lasbela told a press conference at Quetta Press Club on Thursday evening.

"Balochistan Awami Party will strive for the acquisition of rights of people of Balochistan in a political way," BAP leader Saeed Hashmi said.

The MNAs defecting the ruling party lashed out at its policies and vowed to defend the rights of people of Balochistan.

"The ruling party ignored Balochistan and always accommodated its coalition partners here," Khan said.

Opinion

Editorial

Qureshi returns
Updated 08 Jun, 2023

Qureshi returns

Powerbrokers fail to grasp that political legitimacy is drawn from public support and can only be contested through the democratic process.
Lawyer’s killing
08 Jun, 2023

Lawyer’s killing

THE shocking murder of Supreme Court lawyer Abdul Razzaq Shar on a Quetta thoroughfare on Tuesday raises a number of...
Infinite jest
08 Jun, 2023

Infinite jest

IF this government’s political record were to be described as dark comedy, its economic management would be a...
Rinse and repeat
Updated 07 Jun, 2023

Rinse and repeat

Pakistan's Groundhog Day politics continue without missing a beat.
Reimagining airports
07 Jun, 2023

Reimagining airports

AIRPORTS across the world have transformed themselves. No longer are they mere hubs for air travel; they now offer...
Transgender healthcare
07 Jun, 2023

Transgender healthcare

OUR social and political structures have sent the transgender population to Coventry. Anathema and misconception ...