Switching allegiance: PTI's Tahir Rasheed switches over to PML-N

Rasheed believed to target Javed Hashmi's empty seat in PML-N.

MULTAN: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf  (PTI) caused a stir among the likes of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party, signing their lieutenants and even some generals left right and centre, however, it continues at the cost of bleeding some of its own members.

Tahir Rasheed, a former member national assembly had joined PTI about six months ago from the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q). However, after coming into the party fold, he did not like the way the party operated, ultimately contributing to his resignation from membership. He announced his decision to switch over to PML-N in Multan on Friday.

Rasheed blamed Imran Khan of playing politics of hypocrisy. He claimed that Khan had been adding corrupt leaders in PTI and has been defaming the slogan of change.

He said that it was the wish of his mother to be a part of PML-N.

Sources close to Rasheed told The Express Tribune that he wanted Javed Hashmi’s spot after the veteran politician resigned from PML-N late last year.  Rasheed had decided to switch over to the PML-N after spotting this space on the PML-N platform in Multan.

Rasheed had started his political career from PML (N) before joining PML-Q.  He then joined the PTI late last year.

Incidentally, he had been nominated for contesting a seat for the Punjab assembly in the next general elections and the executive council was expected to finalise his ticket for PP 194 to contest elections on behalf of PTI before he made the switch.

PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz welcomed the Tahir Rasheed’s decision.