Senator Talha Mehmood leaves JUI-F to join PPP

ISLAMABAD: Senator Talha Mehmood has parted ways with his decade-long affiliation with the JUI-F and announced joining the Pakistan Peoples Party.

During a press conference attended by Secretary General PPP Parliamentarians Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, Information Secretary PPP Faisal Karim Kundi, President PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, Secretary General Shuja Khan aka Shazi Khan and Media Coordinator Nazir Dhoki on Tuesday, Talha Mehmood said that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had extended an invitation to join the party. He emphasised that there was no better platform than the PPP at the national level.

Speaking on the occasion, Talha Mehmood highlighted the current crisis and praised the historical efforts of the PPP in improving the national conditions. He noted that JUI’s political influence was limited to the KP and Balochistan, lacking representation in Punjab and Sindh.

While Talha Mehmood did not specify any differences with Maulana Fazlur Rehman or reasons for leaving the JUI-F, he affirmed that there was no animosity with Maulana Fazlur Rehman and reiterated his belief in the PPP’s platform.

Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari welcomed Talha Mehmood to the PPP, expressing confidence in his leadership abilities and highlighting his positive role in parliament. Faisal Karim Kundi, PPP’s Information Secretary, welcomed Talha Mehmood and hinted at a surprise from the opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the upcoming Senate elections. He emphasised the strengthening of PPP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with more politicians from the province expected to join in the coming days.

Regarding the delay in oath-taking on reserved seats by the Speaker Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi criticised the speaker for violating the Constitution and acting as a party worker. He suggested that the PTI-backed SIC feared losing seats in the Senate elections if the oath was administered.

In response to reports of a forward bloc in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa backed by the PTI, Faisal Karim Kundi noted the departure of individuals due to their actions.

On the issue of terrorism, Kundi reiterated the PPP’s stance of standing by the nation in the fight against terrorism, supporting the army chief and soldiers.

Regarding the governorship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari stated that the decision will be made by the party leadership