KARACHI, Nov 28: The Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Sindh, Zafar Iqbal Bilal, and a local leader of Pakistan People’s Party, Javed Shah Jilani, have announced their joining of the PML-Functional, a PML-F press release faxed to APP on Thursday claimed.
The two leaders made the announcement at the residence of Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi, the provincial chief of the PML-F. Pir Bukhsh Junejo, Bashir Khan Bhanbhan, Mahi Khan Wasan and Abdul Majeed Araen were also present on the occasion, according to the press release.
Criticizing the PPP, Javed Shah Jilani told newsmen on the occasion that the party did not respect their devoted members. Instead, he alleged, it pushed back those who spoke just and fair.
He said that he would also advise Syed Qaim Ali Shah (his maternal uncle and a former chief minister of Sindh) as well as Pervaiz Ali Shah (his brother and a former provincial minister) to join the PML-F. He said that Pir Saheb Pagara’s family was in politics to serve the country and “we would have to support him.”
On his part, Zafar Iqbal Bilal observed that the PML-F and PPP were two popular parties in Sindh and that he joined the PML- F because he was a Muslim Leaguer.
Welcoming the new comers, Syed Sadaruddin Shah assured them that they would be regarded as assets for his party. He claimed that many more members-elect of the Sindh assembly had offered their joining of the PML-F and they, too, would be embraced.
He also invited Syed Qaim Ali Shah to the party.
The PML-F leader denied his intention to contest for the office of the chief minister and said that his party had already selected Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah for the slot. He, however, indicated that the party was making efforts to form a coalition with the like-minded groups in the House.
He admitted that Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s decision to quit the race, despite support from Pir Pagara, had created an impasse but expressed his confidence that the crisis would be overcome soon.
“We have kept our doors open to all the parties. Any decision to this effect will be taken by Pir Pagara,” he said.—PPI