KHAIRPUR: Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mahar, a veteran politician, on Sunday formally joined Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) after a consultative meeting of Mahar group with its political allies was held at the residence of former provincial minister Sardar Nadir Akmal Laghari in Ghotki district of Sindh province. Reportedly, the custodian of Bharchundi shrine Mian Abdul Khaliq Qadri, Mian Abdul Malik Qadri, former MNA Mian Abdul Haq, Sardar Nadir Akmal Khan Laghari, Halar Khan Pitafi, a candidate for provincial assembly seat PS-18 Sardar Sheharyar Khan Shar, Raheem Bux Khan Bozdar, Mian Nazar Muhammad and others were present in the meeting. The meeting continued for four hours, and observed that Mian Abdul Malik Qadri and Halar Khan Pitafi, who had submitted their nomination forms for the provincial assembly seat PS-19, would not withdraw as parliamentary candidates for the constituency. Moreover, the meeting concluded that former MNA Mian Abdul Haq would contest election for national assembly seat NA-204 constituency of Ubauro-Daharki while Mahar group chief Sardar Ali Gohar would contest for provincial assembly seat PS-19 against Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) candidates. Meanwhile, their political allies pledged to fully support them during election campaigns to be held in the district. While talking to the media, Sardar Ali Gohar Khan said that he abandoned PPP one year ago as ‘he could not do politics of gunny bags and sugarcane.’ He further vowed to defeat PPP candidates from PS-21 constituency of Khangarh and PS-22 constituency of Pano Akil, and pledged to support Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sardar Shehryar Khan Shar during upcoming general election-2018. Mengwar family converts to Islam A woman belonging to Mengwar community on Sunday embraced Islam in the town of Kot Diji in Khairpur district of Sindh province. Reportedly, Gudi along with her two children namely Shama and Soorat converted to Islam. In her talk to the media at Kot Diji Press Club, she claimed that she has embraced Islam without any pressure from the religious groups. Meanwhile, a notable resident of the town namely Mureed Hussain Wasan has assured that he would bear all expenses for her family. 12 people found unconscious after drinking poisonous tea At least 12 members of a same family were found unconscious on Sunday after allegedly drinking poisonous tea near Mirpur Mathelo, a town in Ghotki district of Sindh province. Reportedly, the Mirpur Mathelo police officers rushed and shifted them to Mirpur Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the police have started investigation into the incident. Newly appointed Khairpur DC fails to assume charge A newly appointed deputy commissioner (DC) of Khairpur has been unable to assume his charge as DC. Reportedly, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had ordered to appoint Muhammad Nawaz Sohu as new DC of Khairpur district while due to mounting political pressure from the provincial caretaker government and other influential politicians, the sitting deputy commissioner Javed Ali Jagirani has been continuing his duty as DC. Published in Daily Times, June 25th 2018.