LAHORE, April 12: The PML-N made inroads into the tribal politics of Dera Ghazi Khan division embracing Jafar Khan Leghari on Friday to the utter dismay of their tested lieutenant from the area, Sardar Zulfiqar Khan Khosa.

Khosa chieftain’s son and former PML-N MPA Hissam Khosa downplayed the joining by saying: “It’ll be a big deal if Jafar Leghari manages to win (from his Rajanpur seat).”

Since the Legharis live to the south of DG Khan and the Khosas inhabit northern side of the district there is no direct influence of the two on each other’s constituencies.

Already worried at ‘revolt’ of his elder son Saifuddin Khosa, who has joined the PPP a couple of months ago, Zulfiqar Khosa has been opposing inclusion of the Legharis into the PML-N apparently fearing that it may curtail his influence in the party on policies regarding DG Khan politics.

Jafar as well as Awais and Jamal, both sons of ex-president late Farooq Leghari, have been in contact to join the PML-N.

Awais had left the PML-Q to join the PTI. He has announced contesting the May 11 polls as an independent candidate after the PTI refused to grant him ticket.

Zulfiqar Khosa had called on Nawaz Sharif a couple of weeks ago to express his concerns at the joining of the Legharis, cautioning the party chief that the step could disturb the political balance in the region.

He was reportedly told that the Legharis would not be taken into the PML-N.

Hissam Khosa was not ready to comment on the ‘unmet’ assurance, saying only ‘the chieftain can speak on the issue’.

But it seems that the PML-N has adapted itself to counter the PPP in the south Punjab by attracting influential political families to boost its chances in the coming elections.

The Legharis remained a part of the PPP for a long time. After dislodging his own party’s (PPP) government as president back in 1996, the late Farooq Leghari had formed the ‘Millat Party’ in 2001 which was later merged into the PML-Q after 2002 polls.