The Pakistan Peoples Party (Patriots) headed by Rao Sikandar Iqbal on Friday announced to merge into Pakistan Muslim League (PML) and contest next general elections from the PML platform. The announcement was made by PPPP Chairman Rao Sikandar Iqbal at the residence of Minister for Environment, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chief Whip in National Assembly Sardar Nasarullah Dreshak and other party officials were also present.
"Our merger with the PML will have positive impact," Rao Sikandar said announcing the merger and foresaw a majority win in the forthcoming general elections. "I also appeal to other like minded factions to join the PML and support the policies of President General Pervez Musharraf," he said.
Those who joined PML include Federal Ministers Rao Sikandar Iqbal, Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, Dr Sher Afgan Niazi, Minister of State, Raza Hayat Hiraj and MNAs Aamar Yar Waran, Azhar Yusufzai, Zaheer Abbas Khokhar, Asad Murtaza Gillani and Faiz Tamman.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz described it a 'historic day' and hoped, the decision will have positive impact on the country and the national politics.
Shaukat appreciated their role in national politics as the coalition partner of Pakistan Muslim League and said, their merger will further strengthen Pakistan Muslim League. "I welcome them to PML and we shall contest the next general election from one platform," Shaukat Aziz said.
On this occasion Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Sher Afgan Niazi sought assurance by the PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain about award of tickets to the members joining the PML from their respective constituencies. Chaudhry Shujaat in response said, all future decisions will be made in consultation.
OUR CORRESPONDENT ADDS FROM LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (Patriot) MPAs, Abdul Rasheed Bhatti, Sardar Shaukat Ali Dogar, Naveed Jahanian, Rana Aftab and Inbasat Khan called on Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi here on Friday.
During the meeting, they expressed complete confidence in the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and announced their decision to join Pakistan Muslim League-Q. The Chief Minister welcomed the decision of the MPAs of PPP (Patriot) and said that it would further strengthen Pakistan Muslim League. He said that the PML would achieve a thumping victory in the next general elections on the basis of its performance, he added.