PML-N loyal in Lodhran joins PTI

Former MNA Peer Iqbal Shah parts ways with PML-N and Kanjoo group

MULTAN: In an interesting political development, PML-N’s prominent leader in Lodhran district Peer Iqbal Shah has joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and met with former opponent Jahangir Tareen to obtain party ticket for the upcoming polls.

Former MNA Peer Iqbal Shah has parted ways with PML-N and Kanjoo group. He has submitted nomination papers from NA-161 as an independent candidate. It is the same constituency from where Ali Tareen withdrew his nomination.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Shah said promises were made after the recent victory in Lodhran by-polls but he has not been given anything. He said he and his son Amir Iqbal Shah were neglected by Abdur Rahman Kanjoo and PML-N leadership and this was why they have decided to join PTI. Sources said Jahangir Tareen has welcomed the step of Shah in the favour of people after the departure of Ali Tareen who has stepped down to continue higher studies abroad.



Shah gained popularity in last by-polls when he defeated Ali Tareen, son of Jahangir Tareen, in NA-154 in District Lodhran. A tough competition between the candidates of PML-N and PTI is expected on two seats of the national assembly and three seats of the provincial assembly in Lodhran district.

Political experts are of the view that if Nawab Amanullah, who has submitted nomination papers for the national and provincial the constituencies, agreed to contest polls from PP-227, under the PTI candidate Akhtar Khan Kanjoo from NA-160, it would increase hurdles for the Kanjoo group in the upcoming polls because Sohail Kanjoo, the brother-in-law of Abdur Rahman Kanjoo, has announced to contest polls from PP-225 as an independent candidate.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2018.