Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) has to face another political set back, as PML-Q leader and close aide of Chaudhry brothers-Federal Minister Sheikh Waqas Akram Thursday announced to join Pakistan Muslim League-N along with his family members and thousands of workers.
Sheikh Waqas Akram met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here at the PML-N Secretariat Model Town Thursday and announced to join the PML-N reposing confidence in the leadership of N-League. Senator Pervaiz Rashid, PML-N MNAs Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, family members of Sheikh Waqas Akram and more than 30 Nazims who also joined Pakistan Muslim League-N were present on the occasion.
It may be noted that Sheikh Waqas Akram remained strong critic of the PML-N and raised various questions in and outside the assembly. After joining the PML-N by him, there would be a clear shift in electoral politics in Jhang. Talking to media on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that he whole-heartedly welcomed joining of Pakistan Muslim League-N by Sheikh Waqas Akram, his family members and companions. He said Sheikh Waqas Akram, has joined Pakistan Muslim League-N after resigning from his ministership and membership of National Assembly. He said Sheikh Waqas Akram is a respectable politician who has twice been elected as Member National Assembly, and it is a matter of great satisfaction that educated politicians like Sheikh Waqas Akram are joining PML-N.
He said Sheikh Waqas Akram, not only raised his voice against corruption while living within his former political party, but also saved himself from any smear of corruption. He said the country is now moving towards general elections. He said Sheikh Waqas Akram remained with the same party for five years on whose ticket he contested and won general elections, while joining Pakistan Muslim League-N, after giving his resignation in accordance with the demands of the law speaks volumes about the mature character of Sheikh Waqas Akram.
Shahbaz said that it is the right of everyone to join whichever party he wants, after giving his resignation. He said that the kind of trust which Sheikh Waqas Akram and his companions have reposed in the leadership and policies of Pakistan Muslim League-N, is a highly welcome step.
He said Pakistan Muslim League-N has completed a record number of development projects in the province, during the last five years, while new universities and educational institutions have been established throughout the province. He said if people gave another opportunity to serve, a university would also be established in Jhang. He said after the report of Transparency International Pakistan, those who accused great project of metro bus service to have cost 70 or 90 billion rupees, have now been silenced.
Sheikh Waqas Akram said that he himself, his family members and other companions have joined Pakistan Muslim League-N, without any condition. He said that there were some reservations and misunderstandings due to communication gap with Pakistan Muslim League-N which have now been removed.
He said that he and his family members have also been Muslim Leaguers ideologically and would always remain so, due to which we have joined together as Muslim Leaguers. He said he would work under the dynamic leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for progress of country, party and the people, in accordance with the policies and vision of party leadership. He said he is thankful to Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-N, who had welcomed him whole-heartedly.
Answering a question, Sheikh Waqas Akram said that his criticism of Pakistan Muslim League-N was due to lack of communication, while he had unmasked corruption in federal government and parliamentary reports testified it. He said he has always raised his voice against procurement of loco motives and LNG matters by remaining in government. He said Punjab government has completed corruption-free development projects, and the fact has also been acknowledged by Transparency International Pakistan.
Sheikh Waqas Akram said that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has promoted politics of tolerance and forbearance in the country, which is the need of the hour. He said he is thankful to Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif over his announcement of establishment of a university in Jhang, which will be built, if people gave an opportunity to serve.
Member National Assembly, Kh Muhammad Asif said that, although Sheikh Waqas Akram had been criticising Pakistan Muslim League-N, but he had always raised his voice against corruption of federal government while remaining part of the government and he has never criticised just for the sake of criticism. Member National Assembly Kh Saad Rafique said that the reservations of Sheikh Waqas Akram were not removed in one day, but there was a contact with him for the last one year.