News
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Qureshi set to bid adieu to his longtime allegiance to PPP
* Meets Shahbaz Sharif to secure his return to PML-N
By Raja Riaz
LAHORE: In an unusual development, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) stalwart and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had an exclusive one-on-one meting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central leader and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif late on Friday night to discuss the possibility of his return to the PML-N folds.
The meeting that continued until 1:05am Saturday from 9:40pm Friday was held at the residence of Tehmina Durrani, wife of Shabaz Sharif.
It may be mentioned here that Qureshi, a former colleague of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, has developed differences with his party (PPP) leadership ever since he was pushed out as foreign minister in February.
Sources privy to the affairs claim that Qureshi was annoyed because was not inducted in the new federal cabinet as minister of foreign affairs, the office that he ran before rightisizing of the cabinet. Qureshi, however, denies this. In his several public addresses, Qureshi has maintained that the Raymond Davis matter has forced him not to continue with those who ‘compromised national interest’ in the case of the American.
On Saturday afternoon, Qureshi held a press conference, demanding resignation of his party leadership from the offices of president and prime minister. This clearly indicates that Qureshi will join the PML-N in recent future.
Pertinent to mention here is that Qureshi’s father was a close aide of dictator Ziaul Haq.
Qureshi was first elected on non-party basis from the constituency of PP-164 Multan in 1985 general elections that were held under the umbrella of Zia’s dictatorial regime. He then joined the Muslim League, a party revitalised by the despot. Qureshi returned to Punjab legislature on a PML-N ticket from PP-166 Multan and served in the cabinet of Nawaz Sharif as the minister for planning and development from November 30, 1988, to August 6, 1990. He was a returned candidate in the 1990 elections from the same constituency but with a changed loyalty as he had parted ways with the PML-N.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk