Anwar Saifullah joins PPP

Anwar Saifullah Khan, a former federal minister and independently elected member of the NWFP Assembly, on Saturday announced unconditional joining PPP-Parliamentarians after reposing confidence in the central and provincial leaderships of the party.
Addressing a press conference here at his residence, he said that due to his inclination towards PPP, he had decided to join the party. Besides NWFP PPP president Rahimdad Khan, two senior PPP leaders Khurshid Ahmad Shah and Naveed Qamar, a large number of workers and newly elected MNAs and MPAs were also present on the occasion.
He said that he had been elected from two provincial assembly constituencies in independent capacity and was anxious to join PPP, which was not new for him. However, he said, it was delayed and he would have more happiness had it happened in the lifetime of Benazir Bhutto.
He said that after Benazir's assassination PPP has once again emerged as the largest political party in the country. He said it would be an honour for him to once again work with his cabinet colleagues like Khurshid Shah and Naveed Qamar.
Rahimdad Khan, he said, was his college fellow and a good friend.
He said he was confident that under the leadership of Asif Ali Zardari the party would get more successes. Khurshid welcomed him into the party fold, saying that he would prove a good friend for the party leaders. Naveed Qamar recalled that Anwar Saifullah Khan was in constant touch with Benazir Bhutto and she was giving great respect to him. It was the wish of Benazir Bhutto that Anwar should join her party, and that dream had come true, he said.
Rahimdad said that Anwar Saifullah was always connected with the party and was not a stranger for the party workers. He assured him of full honour and respect. "Mr Anawar Khan will be our leader, and we would give him honour," he pledged, adding that his joining would give boost to PPP in the province.
He said that the strength of PPP had climbed to 21 in the provincial assembly and a number of other independents were likely to join the party shortly. He declined to answer a question on the power sharing formula with ANP, saying that before holding meeting with the coalition partner it would be premature.
Anwar dispelled the impression that he was part to any power game in the province. He said that he had requested PPP leadership for permission to form government in the province as PPP-Sherpao and PML-Q were also extending support to him. However, he said, the party was interested in power sharing with ANP, "and we will wholeheartedly cooperate with them" in restoration of peace and eradication of unemployment in the province.