Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A member of provincial assembly from Mansehra, Wajih-uz-Zaman Khan, on Saturday joined Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).

The MPA, who was recently part of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and his allies met PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat at his residence in Islamabad and announced to join the party.

Wajih-uz-Zaman was elected from Mansehra on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket but was expelled from the party in 2015 on disciplinary grounds. The disgruntled lawmaker then joined the PTI, but left it on Saturday, saying, “No PTI representative in KP is following the party’s ideology. Today, people like Amir Liaquat are joining it.”

Explaining his reason for quitting the parties, Wajih-uz-Zaman said he never got a chance to prove himself in PML-N or PTI. “When I was in PML-N, Nawaz Sharif didn’t shake hands with me for three years,” he said. Regarding the PTI chief, the MPA said, “Imran Khan doesn’t respect anyone but himself.”

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Chaudhry Shujaat said, “Anyone who is a Pakistani is a member of the PML-Q.” Stating that Wajih-uz-Zaman’s mother was a PML-Q senator, Shujaat said, “Wajih-uz-Zaman is and always was a part of the Muslim League.” news desk

Former MNA quits PTI

National Assembly former member Ahmed Raza Maneka Saturday announced to quit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

“I am bidding farewell to PTI today,” Maneka, who is younger brother of Khawar Maneka, former husband of Imran Khan’s third wife, told a press conference in Pakpattan along with supporters which also included chairmen of Union Councils. “I do not want to serve as a PTI worker anymore,” he said.

Ahmed Raza was currently serving as the president of PTI’s Pakpattan chapter.

While expressing his reservation with the leadership of the party, Ahmed Raza said PTI Chairman Imran Khan would never meet any local leader whenever he came to Pakpattan. The leadership is even not aware of their team, he added.

The defecting party leader said he would definitely contest the upcoming general elections and would give his future plan of action in a few days.

Ahmed Raza served as MNA from 2002-2007 and was also the chairperson of standing committee on cabinet during his tenure.

Published in Daily Times, April 1^st 2018.