MUZAFFARGARH: Various local politicians and former parliamentarians announced joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz at its workers’ convention held here on Thursday, boosting the party’s morale, espcially in south Punjab.A good number of the party workers and local leaders gathered at the Faisdal Stadium, where the convention was organised by ex-MPA Hammad Nawaz Tipu.

PML-N stalwarts Khwaja Saad Rafique, Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal and Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari addressed the convention.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz could not attend the convention because of her visit to Gilgit Baltistan where she launched the party’s election campaign.

Those who announced rejoining the party on the occasion included former MPAs Malik Qaswar Langrial and Mian Imran Qureshi.

Interestingly, both the former parliamentarians, who had ditched the PML-N ahead of the last general election, arrived at the convention leading rallies comprising party workers.Another noticeable rejoining was by Fiaz Hussain, who had contested and lost election against former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar.

In his address, former law minister and MNA Rana Sanaullah welcomed those who announced joining the party and said people were joining the PML-N as they were with narrative of PML-N quaid Nawaz Sharif who had made the country a nuclear power and responded to the Indian nuclear blasts with even more strength.

He said the PTI government delivered no justice, regretting that inflation had sky-rocketted under it.

Awais Leghari said Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar who accuse the PML-N of disloyalty were themselves were not loyal to Pakistan. He deplored that because of government’s inefficiency prices of daily-use items and medicines had reached at their peak. He criticised non-elected advisers of the prime minister for creating such a situation.

Khwaja Saad Rafique said everybody knew who had created Junoobi Sooba Mahaz and what was its purpose. He said that no one could cheat south Punjab people as they had awakened now. He pledged that the PML-N after coming into power again would bring mega projects to south Punjab.

Ahsan Iqbal termed 2021 the year of general election, predicting PML-N victory.

Ex-MPA Hammad Nawaz Tipu also spoke.

Rao Akmal, Haseeb Alam Gujjar and Engr Bilal Khar were also present at the convention.

District Police Officer Mohammad Hassan Iqbal said 800 police officials were deployed for the security of the event, claiming no roads were blocked and participants were free to attend the convention.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2020