Taking an ‘independent’ decision

SARGODHA: Several political parties have made offers to PP34 winner Ijaz Ahmed Kahloon to join their parties but Kahloon has said he will make a decision on the advice of his supporters.

According to officials, Ejaz Ahmed Kahloon won the by-election against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Tabrez Gil and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) supported candidate Fayaz Ahmed Oathi. Provincial Finance Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira recently met Kahloon at his residence and asked him to join the PPP.

Later PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi spoke to Ejaz Kahloon on the telephone and congratulated him on his success. Elahi said the people had rejected the policies of the federal and provincial government and voted for Kahloon to bring about a change.

Pakistan Tehreeke Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan and Punjab president Ahsan Rasheed also spoke to Kahloon and congratulated him on his win, inviting him to join PTI. Jamaat Islami (JI) General Secretary Liaqat Baloch also congratulated Kahloon and said the people had voted for the right candidate.

On the other hand, Chaudhry Mumtaz Ahmed Kahloon met PMLQ MNA Ch Anwar Ali Cheema at his residence and thanked him for his support during his brother’s campaign.

Ejaz Ahmed Kahloon recently spent most of his time at the election commission office. His brother Mumtaz Kahloon said they had not yet decided to join any political party. He said they would take a decision after speaking with their supporters.

Publishd in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2010.