Web Desk
LAHORE: Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former president, has intensified his efforts to attract defectors from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of the general elections.
Since May 9, more than 70 leaders and former lawmakers have parted ways with the PTI under the leadership of Imran Khan. In an attempt to win over a majority of the PTI dissidents, the former president has arrived in Lahore.
Sources familiar with the matter informed ARY News that Asif Ali Zardari, who will be in Lahore for three days, will welcome a group of leaders from South Punjab into the PPP today.
The sources also revealed that over 15 former lawmakers from South Punjab are expected to announce their joining of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) tomorrow. These PTI defectors will make the announcement alongside PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari during a press conference.
It is claimed that the former president will hold a press conference tomorrow at 8:00 pm at Makhdoom House in Model Town.
In light of the May 9 riots, more than 70 PTI leaders and former lawmakers, including Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Aamir Kiyani, Imran Ismail, Ali Zaidi, Abrarul Haq, Amin Aslam, Maleeka Bokhari, Musarrat, and Jamshed Cheema, have resigned from the PTI.
Jahangir Tareen to announce a new party Following a significant exodus from the PTI, the Jahangir Tareen (JKT) group is also considering the formation of a new political party. Important political figures from Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are likely to join the new party.
Jahangir Tareen is expected to hold a news conference with key political leaders in the coming days, during which he is likely to announce the formation of a new political party, according to sources.
On Monday, senior politician Jahangir Tareen met with former PTI provincial minister Aleem Khan to discuss the formation of a new political alliance.
Sources indicate that Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan discussed matters related to the future of those who have resigned and the establishment of a new party. The participants of the meeting suggested creating a new political party instead of a pressure group, as a political party will be better positioned to advocate for the rights of the people.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser, Awn Chaudhry, was also present at the meeting, according to sources. He informed the participants that more PTI members will be leaving the party in the coming days, and there should be a platform available for them.
