GUJRANWALA, Dec 11: The Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) faced ditching in Gujranwala as Rana Umer Nazir Khan and his father Rana Nazir Ahmad Khan, its candidates for NA-98 and NA-99, joined the PML-N.

Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N chief, not only embraced his old crony in the party, but also awarded him his party ticket for NA-99, Dawn learnt on Tuesday.

The return of Rana Nazir to the PML-N took place in style. On Dec 8, when Mr Sharif was travelling on GT Road to arrive in Gujranwala to address a public meeting here, he came across his old friend Rana Nazir near Sadoki. Rana was travelling with a caravan as part of his electioneering. Seeing his old leader, Rana Nazir stopped his vehicle and went up to Mr Sharif for a handshake.

Later, Rana Nazir met Mr Sharif and announced joining the PML-N.

Sources said Rana Nazir would also be the PML-N candidate for NA-98 if the party could not find any other suitable candidate from this constituency.

Rana Umer confirmed the candidature of his father from both NA-98 and NA 99 constituencies.

In the 2002 elections, Pakistan People’s Party’s Chaudhry Imtiaz Safdar Warraich was elected from NA-98 and PML-Q’s Rana Umer from NA-99.

MQM CANDIDATES: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced its candidates for Gujranwala constituencies.

MQM District Organiser Abdul Karim, alias Tokey Khan, told a press conference Arshad Mehmood would contest for NA -95, Kokab Bukhari NA-97, advocate Rana Zulqarnain Khan NA-98 and Shahid Latif for PP-92.

He said the MQM did not field its candidate from NA-96 after a seat adjustment with the PML-Q and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). He said the party would favour JUI-F’s candidate Qazi Hameedullah in the constituency.

WITHDRAW: Independent candidate from NA-97 Barrister Adil Saleem withdrew his nomination papers in the favour of PPP candidate Dr Zafar Chaudhry.

Speaking at a press conference, Barrister Saleem said he advocated moderation and resolving of the problems of people at the grassroots through their true elected representatives. He said the PPP’s manifesto guaranteed moderation in the country, so he had decided to support the PPP in the elections. PPP District President Chaudhry Abdullah Virk and Dr Chaudhry praised Mr Saleem’s decision.