PESHAWAR, Dec 14: Expressing confidence in the leadership of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan, a provincial councillor of Awami National Party and a Sikh community leader and his supporters residing in parts of Peshawar  joined the PTI on Wednesday. In Swabi, former MPA and leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP-S) Jahan Bahadar Khan also announced support for Imran Khan.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, ANP provincial councillor Zahid Khan Khalil announced quitting the party and joined PTI. On the occasion, PTI leaders Shaukat Yousufzai and Yaseen Khalil were also present.

Criticizing the ANP leadership, Zahid Khalil said that he had served the party when Khudai Khidmatgar Bacha Khan and Wali Khan were alive. He said that people supported them because they raised voice for the rights of poor Pakhtuns. He said that the incumbent provincial government had disappointed Pakhtuns and that was why the ANP activists were leaving the party one after the other.

“I support Imran Khan for the slogan he raised against corruption,” he said.

Shaukat Yousufzai and Yaseen Khalil said that Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti had shifted the funds of the entire province to his home district Mardan.

At another press conference dozens of Sikhs, led by Sardar Santok Singh, joined the PTI. Mr Singh said that Pakistan was passing through a difficult phase and the rulers had failed to solve the problems being faced by the poor people.

Flanked by PTI Peshawar president Zafar Khattak, Mr Singh said that Pakistan needed a sincere leadership to get rid of the present crisis.

SWABI: Former MPA and prominent leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP-S) Jahan Bahadar Khan and his son Jehan Zeb Bahadar Khan on Wednesday joined Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf along with their supporters.

“We have joined the PTI because all other parties have failed to serve the people,” Mr Jehan Zeb, who was member of the PPP-S provincial council, told a press conference at his residence here in Shewa.

Asad Qaisar, head of the provincial working committee, PTI district president Sohail Khan and other activists were also present on the occasion.

Jahan Bahadar said he remained associated with both the PPP and PPP-S, but their policies compelled his family and supporters to join the PTI.