Four more Punjab MPAs join PML-N

LAHORE:February 09- Supporters of Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party 'Pakistan Muslim League-N' dance to celebrate their party victory at Model Town.APP Photo by MTF

LAHORE: Four more independent MPAs have announced joining the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday, Party’s Lahore Chapter posted on micro-blogging platform X, formerly known as twitter.
Sultan Bajwa from PP-132, Hanif Patafi from PP-288, Mehmood Qadir Khan from PP-289 and Taimur Lali from PP-94 joined the PML-N after meeting PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif.
On the occasion, party leaders Rana Tanveer, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Attaullah Tarar and others were present. The MPAs expressed their full confidence in PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said they all would come to the expectations of Nawaz Sharif and the people.
On the other hand, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Wednesday rejected the election results, announcing countrywide protests against the alleged rigging in the Feb 8 polls.
Addressing a press conference, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the parliament had lost the credibility after the ‘rigged’ elections.
The veteran politician invited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo to join the opposition in the National Assembly. He said that the JUI-F would not join the coalition government. “JUI-F is not ally of any party,” clarifies Fazlur Rehman.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan, alleging its role had been questionable since the beginning. He mentioned that the commission dismissed petitions submitted by JUI-F candidates against rigging.
The JUI-F leader stated that the party would fulfill its parliamentary duties and join the assemblies with reservations. Hinting at potential protests, he expressed concerns that decisions may be taken outside the parliament.
Additionally, he outlined a series of upcoming meetings scheduled by the party in various regions. Maulana Fazl outlined the party’s upcoming strategy, mentioning plans for provincial general council meetings in Balochistan on February 25 and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on February 27, along with additional meetings scheduled in Karachi on March 3 and Lahore on March 5. JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman said his party would play its parliamentary role but would become a part of the assemblies with reservations.
“Defeating the JUI-F through poll rigging was a conspiracy of anti-Islamic elements. Our fault is that we played our role in mending the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which is not acceptable to the US. Our fault is that we spoke up against Israeli actions in Gaza and supported Hamas,” Fazl stated. He added that the JUI-F was an ideological force and would not compromise on any of its stances. “Our workers are determined to start a movement based on our history and sacrifices,” he added. –Agencies