PTI-backed independent candidate joins PPP ranks

LARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)-backed independent candidate Ejaz Khan Swati announced his decision to join the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Wednesday following his victory in the recent general election.

Swati won a provincial assembly seat from constituency PS-88, situated in the Malir district. He secured 17,580 votes during the general election held on February 8.

In a video statement released to the public, Swati stated that his decision to switch parties comes after careful consideration and consultation with constituents and senior associates.

“I have decided to align myself with the Pakistan People’s Party for the betterment of my constituency. I am hopeful that the PPP will actively contribute to the development of our area”, he added.

In the 2018 general election, PPP candidate Abdul Razzaq Raja secured a seat from the same constituency with 16,313 votes.

Earlier, six independent candidates who won seats in the Punjab Assembly decided to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ranks.

These include Sultan Bajwa from PP-132, Shazia Tareen from PP-225, Mahmood Qadir Leghari from PP-289, Hanif Pitafi from PP-288, Taimoor Lali from PP-94, and Ali Asghar Gormani from PP-283.