Ex-PPP leader Lashkari Raisani joins PML-N

Raisani had resigned from PPP after he developed differences with the party.

LAHORE: Former Pakistan Peoples Party leader Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani formally joined the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), Express News reported on Tuesday.

The formal decision was taken during a meeting with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

A 22-member delegation comprising political leaders from Balochistan met the PML-N chief in Raiwind today where they announced their decision to join the party.

Raisani had resigned from PPP in 2012 after he developed differences with the party. He developed considerable clout in the province as the brother of the former chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and in his own right as a PPP leader there.

While addressing a joint press conference, Raisani said he is committed to Benazir Bhutto’s vision for democracy and so is the PML-N chief, referring to the Charter of Democracy – a document signed between PPP and PML-N in 2006.

“Unfortunately, the PPP-led government failed to honour Benazir’s ideals after coming into power,” he added.

On criticism against his brother for failing to improve the situation in Balochistan, Raisani stressed that the province is suffering because of dictatorial policies spanning over many decades and nothing can be changed overnight.

Speaking to the media, Nawaz welcomed the new members to his party.

PPP President from District Kohistan Haji Misr Khan and PPP MNA from the same area Saeed Ahmad Khan also announced that they have decided to join the PML-N.