LAHORE, July 31: Ruling PML MPA Rai Ijaz on Tuesday joined the Pakistan People’s Party along with another colleague, Sheikh Asif Jillani. Addressing a press conference here, Rai Ijaz, the former provincial minister, said he had no personal differences with the Punjab chief minister or the PML leadership. The problem which led to the parting of ways was placing Khanqah Dogran in Nankana Sahib.

Mr Ijaz said he had opposed inclusion of his area (Mandi Dhaban Singh and Khanqah Dogran) in Nankana district because it had taken the district headquarters by some 80km away from his constituency. These differences had culminated into parting of ways, he said.

“The PPP chairperson has also granted party ticket to my niece Ms Noorulain Rai for PP-134, making it a moral obligation on me to return the favour,” he said.

Though MPA Asif Jillani, another PML defector, was not present on the occasion to announce his entry into PPP but his brother Sheikh Muhammad Ali did attend the event and backed the announcement by Rai Ijaz.

Mr Ijaz claimed that more MPAs would desert the PML in the next few days or weeks.