Ijazul Haq decides to join PML-N
24 October, 2012
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Zia chief Ijazul Haq has decided to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), however he will make the formal announcement in a few days after meeting with the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. According to sources, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had recently extended invitation to Ijazul Haq to join the PML-N, which he accepted. Ijazul Haq may get the PML-N ticket for NA-191 in the upcoming elections, as the Punjab government has released development funds for his constituency in Bahawalnagar, said the sources. Talking to our sources, PML-N Central Secretary General Mushahidullah Khan did not confirm Ijazul Haq's joining of the party. However he said that Ijaz was a strong and electable politician, and his joining would strengthen the PML-N. Ijaz, son of former military dictator Ziaul Haq, has had longstanding relations with the PML-N leadership and had been struggling to bring all factions of the Muslim League under one umbrella. He has earlier served as federal minister for labour, manpower and overseas Pakistanis from 1997 to 1999 in Nawaz's government. He was elected to the National Assembly for a record fourth time in the 2002 general elections. Initially allying himself with the PML-Q, he was appointed federal minister for religious affairs. He lost for the first time in the 2008 general election, and resigned from the PML-Q in February 2010. He formed his own party, PML-Zia, which upset the Pakistan People's Party in Bahawalnagar for member of the provincial assembly in March 2010. End.
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