PTI recruits original ‘Lion of Punjab’ to take on ‘sher’

Former Punjab governor vows to help build new Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Veteran politician and a former governor of Punjab Ghulam Mustafa Khar announced on Monday to have joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

One of the PPP founding members, Khar, 80, announced the decision after his meeting with the PTI chairman Imran Khan at the latter’s residence in Bani Gala. Senior party leaders including Pervaiz Khattak, Jehangir Khan Tareen, and Ishaq Khakwani were also present on the occasion.

Under the premiership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Khar also served as Chief Minister of Punjab in 1970s.

Khar contested and lost last general elections of 2013 at the hands of PML-N candidate.

“I completely agree with the PTI leadership and party manifesto,” Khar was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the PTI media wing following the meeting.

He said Imran was the future-builder of Pakistan and that he fully supports his political standing and stance.

Imran on the occasion welcomed Khar into the PTI fold and said it was time for every patriotic Pakistani to support Pakistan beyond personal differences and political affiliation.

“It is the responsibility of the privileged people to play their due role than a common man can do for the future of Pakistan,” Imran said, adding that once PTI comes to power it would address the genuine deprivations of the people of southern Punjab on priority.

Friday rally

Islamabad chapter of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf formally contacted the city administration to obtain permission for its scheduled April 28 rally in Islamabad’s Parade Ground.

In a letter addressed to capital’s district administration, the PTI has sought a no-objection certificate for the rally.

Request has been made by the PTI president Islamabad region Raja Khurram Nawaz.

PTI chief Imran Khan would address the rally. PTI has already formed a nine-member committee to arrange transportation, mobalisation, logistics, etc.

PTI district organisers from K-P and Punjab have specially been directed to ensure maximum participation of party workers from these provinces to make the rally a success. Free transport will be available to party activists from almost all districts of KP and Punjab.

Parade Ground near Shakarparian is the same venue where the PTI staged on November 2 its last big gathering – the Thanksgiving Rally – organised after the party had called off its Islamabad lockdown plan in the wake of the Supreme Court’s announcement to take up the Panamagate case.

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