SIALKOT, Dec 13: After joining the PML-Nawaz, PML-Q’s former federal minister for law Zahid Hamid announced his withdrawal from the NA-114 race. Talking to newsmen, Zahid Hamid also announced his support for PML-N’s candidate Mirza Abdul Qayyum (for the same seat).

Hamid joined the PML-N after the PML-Q denied him party ticket from his native constituency. He announced his change of heart during Nawaz Sharif’s public meeting here on Wednesday night.

PML-N’s central leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif told newsmen that Hamid had joined the party `unconditionally’.

For the same seat, PML-Q has nominated Variyo family’s former federal minister Ch Abdul Sattar while the PPP has fielded Ch Ghulam Abbas. Hamid’s shift in loyalty has made the NA-114 contest lively.

The younger brother of former governor Shahid Hamid, Zahid Hamid is likely to be accommodated by the PML-N in Senate.

Zahid Hamid is the younger brother of former Punjab Governor Shahid Hamid.

Khwaja Asif: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) leader Khwaja Asif said on Thursday that PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Sialkot had changed the political scenario in Sialkot district turning the area into the stronghold of Mr Sharif.

Mr Asif told reporters at his residence that after the visit of Mr Sharif to Sialkot on Dec 12, the PML-Q had lost its political standing here.

He said former minister for law Zahid Hamid, former district nazim Mian Naeem

Javed, former provincial minister Begum Sajida Nayyar Abidi, former MPA Syed Kaleem Abbas Sherazi and Gujranwala PML-Q president (labour and women wing) Riffat Shafi had joined the PML-N at Mr Sharif’s public meeting at the Murray College.