Downslope?: Another PML-F stalwart defects to PPP

Former district nazim announces decision at public meeting in Matiari

HYDERABAD: As Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) continues to face a political attrition by losing party stalwarts, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has formally welcomed a PML-F bigwig from Matiari district into its fold. PML-F's former district nazim, Mohammad Ali Shah Jamote, announced his decision at a public meeting in Matiari on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, MNA Faryal Talpur, provincial minister Nisar Khuhro and Makhdoom Jameeluz Zaman attended and addressed the event besides other party leaders.



PML-F's former central leader MPA Imtiaz Shaikh has already joined the PPP while another MPA Jam Madad Ali is expected to follow suit. "We welcome Jamote sahab to our party," said the CM. "He and his family remained associated with a party [PML-F] since 1970. But acknowledging the PPP's policies, quality of our leadership and sacrifices, Mohammad Ali Shah Jamote is joining our party along with his supporters."

Matiari district has remained a stronghold of the PPP. The Makhdoom family, now headed by Makhdoom Jameel after death of his father Makhdoom Amin Fahim, has represented the district's people in the federal and provincial legislatures since 1960s.

"Now there is no influential political opponent of the PPP in Matiari after the joining of Jamote sahab," said Khuhro.

MNA Faryal Talpur, who is a sister of PPP leader Asif Zardari, assured Jamote of the party's support for addressing the people's problems.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2016.