LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari landed in the city on Wednesday to welcome a group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) defectors from South Punjab.

The PTI dissidents called on him at Bilawal House in Bahrain Town and joined the party formally.

Earlier, there were reports that Zardari will hold a press conference following his meeting with the PTI deserters.

However, former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani held media talk along with the party’s Secretary General Nayyer Bukhari. He said the list of those having joined the party would be provided to the media later.

Responding to media queries, he blamed the PTI team for backing out from negotiations on the direction from Imran Khan.

He said PPP is a democratic party and believes in the rule of law. The central executive committee is all powerful to take parry decisions, he said and added that no decision has so far been taken on general elections in the country.

Sources privy to the development said Zardari would stay in the city for three days. He will also hold meeting with Ch Shujaat Hussain during his stay.

Sources further said more than 15 former lawmakers from South Punjab will announce joining Pakistan People’s Party.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023