BAHAWALPUR, April 15: Differences between two groups of the PML-N, headed by district president and former MNA Mumtaz Ahmad Jajja and Punjab joint secretary Saood Majid, surfaced on the arrival of party’s Punjab president Zulfiqar Khosa here on Saturday.

Mr Majid, who accompanied Mr Khosa from Rahim Yar Khan, drove to his residence instead of leading him to Mr Jajja’s residence.

It may be recalled that Mr Jajja and Mr Majid were contenders for the office of district president. After the nomination of Mr Jajja as district president by Mian Nawaz Sharif, Mr Majid was nominated as Punjab joint secretary to maintain an equilibrium among them. Now, both are reportedly aspiring for a party ticket to contest election to a National Assembly seat from Yazman tehsil in the coming election.

Mr Khosa told newsmen that a parliamentary board would issue the tickets to candidates when the schedule of election would be announced.

Criticising the government, he said it had miserably failed on both internal and external fronts. He lamented that Pakistan army was targeting its own people in Balochistan and the NWFP.

He regretted that Pakistan’s friends like China, Iran and Afghanistan were looking towards India.

He deplored that PML-N leaders Saad Rafiq and Zaeem Qadri were being victimised on false charges of arson during the rally against blasphemous cartoons.

Mr Khosa said despite government tactics, the PML-N popularity was increasing.

He said at present he was reviewing the enrolment drive and formulate his recommendations by the end of May.

STRIKE: Lawyers on Saturday observed strike to condemn the Nishtar Park carnage.