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Thursday, January 24, 2013PML-N loses another wicket to PPP
* Son of Shahbaz Sharif’s top adviser Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa leaves party over differences
By Farooq Awan
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Wednesday gave its major political rival another blow when the son of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s senior adviser Zulfiqar Khosa announced to part ways with the PML-N.
Sardar Saifuddin Khosa is a sitting MNA form NA-173, Dera Ghazi Khan-III.
The PML-N had not yet recovered from the dent it had to bear with in Jehlum by departure of Raja Afzal and his two sons, who were sitting members of the National Assembly, that it had to lose another wicket at the hands of the PPP.
Whereas the change of royalties by young Khosa is a big setback to Sharifs, it is being viewed as a substantial boost to the PPP in Punjab where it continues to face troubles due to lack of winnable candidates.
In August last year, Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa and his son Sardar Dost Khosa had also resigned from all political offices due to differences with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. However, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif managed to bring them into party fold after a ‘patch-up’ meeting in Raiwind a few days later.
Announcing his joining of the PPP, Saifuddin Khosa said he had serious reservations on the policies of PML-N on different issues, especially the creation of a new province in southern Punjab.
“I have observed PML-N leaders very closely but I did never find them sincere on the issue. They are just playing with the public sentiments. Now, I am joining the PPP due to its sincere efforts for the creation of a new province in southern Punjab,” he announced at a news conference along with President Asif Zardari’s sister, MNA Faryal Talpur, and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira.
Khosa came down hard on PML-N leadership for not being part of the commission constituted for the creation of new provinces. “It would have been better if PML-N had given its recommendations on the creation of new provinces but they were not sincere and just wanted to delay it,” he added.
He said PML-N government has allocated Rs 30 billion for three divisions of southern Punjab while Rs 40 billion were being spent alone on a metro bus project in Lahore.
Khosa said PPP had worked more for the betterment of poor people and added that the Benazir Income Support Programme was helping poor segments of society in southern Punjab in a transparent manner. He said next elections would prove popularity of the PPP in Dera Ghazi Khan.
He said he would abide by all decisions of the party leadership.
Khosa also admitted to have defied pressure by his family members in ‘choosing a way for the benefit of the poor people’.
On the occasion, PPP Women’s Wing President Faryal Talpur welcomed Saifuddin Khosa to the party and said his joining will further strengthen the party. She said PPP has always followed politics of principles for the welfare of the people.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said PPP has representation from every segment of the society and its doors are always open for the new entrants. He said people want democracy to flourish in the country and they will vote for the PPP in next elections due to its unprecedented efforts for the promotion of democratic principles in last five years.
Kaira said PPP had already started work on creation of new provinces. He was hopeful that the sitting parliament will complete the task.
PPP Secretary General Jehangir Badr said PPP is the party of people and welcomes people belonging to all areas in its fold. He said his party will bring social and economic changes in the lives of the people through concerted efforts.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk