Major setback to PML-N as 8 more MPs quit party, form new faction

LAHORE: In another major setback to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League, its eight more law makers quit the party and announced to form a dissident faction.

Addressing a joint presser here Monday, six member National Assembly and two provincial assembly lawmakers announced to quit the PML-N and formed a new faction.

Those who parted ways with the PML-N include former state minister Khusro Bakhtiar, Tahir Iqbal, Rana Mohammad Qasim, Basit Bukhari, Sardar Dareshak, Salimullah Chaudhry and Tahir Bashir.

The disgruntled lawmakers accused the ruling party for ignoring the south Punjab. They demanded separate province for the people of South Punjab and announced to launch “South Punjab Province Mahaaz” to press their demand.

Khusro Bakhtiar announced that former prime minister Balakh Sher Mazari lead the movement for separate province. Mazari would be chairman of the South Punjab Province Mahaaz, while Sardar Nasrullah Dareshak would be vice chairman. Khusro would be present and Basit Bukhari would be vice president of the movement.

He went on to say the purpose their presser was to strengthen the federation and the announcement of separate province.

On Saturday, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, PML-N member of the National Assembly on a minority seat, had left the party and joined Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Earlier in March, MNA Nisar Jutt made an exit from the ruling PML-N to join the PTI, along with his aides.

Prior to that, the PML-N lost two MNAs from Gujranwala, who also joined PTI.