Mushahid quits PML-Q, joins PML-N

Retiring Senator belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Mushahid Hussain Sayed rejoined PML-N on the invitation of the party's head Nawaz Sharif, here on Sunday. Mushahid, a former academician and newspaper editor was Nawaz Sharif's minister for information and broadcasting (1997 - 1999) when he was ousted in a bloodless coup by then army chief General Pervez Musharraf in 1999.They both lived in Model Town Lahore.
Talking to the media, Mushahid said he met Mian Nawaz Sharif on the latter's invitation at his Jati Umra residence and accepted his invitation to join PML-N today for the sake of democracy, defence and development of the country. "National stability and integrity are linked to the supremacy of democracy. In the struggle for supremacy of the constitution and law, I will be at the forefront in the PML-N," he said.
Nawaz's daughter Maryam, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed and Federal Railways Minister Saad Rafique were also present. Later, Mushahid Hussain Syed called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in which various national, political matters and other issues relating to mutual interest were discussed.
The CM welcomed Mushahid in PML-N and said that this confidence of him in the PML-N leadership is a proof that the party is the actual representative of the masses who won the hearts of people with their public service. He hoped that PML-N will win with majority in the 2018 election.
It is worth mentioning that Mushahid's term in the Upper House of Parliament is expiring on March 11 and he is set to retire owing to the minimal presence of PML-Q in the provincial and national assemblies. PML-Q had also given party ticket to Senator Kamil Ali Agha. Owing to reports of his switching, the PML-Q had removed him from his position as secretary general, late last year. However, Mushahid claimed that he had resigned from PML-Q prior to today's meeting and thanked the PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
Sources said Mushahid would now be elected to the Senate through PML-N votes from the Punjab Assembly, where the party enjoys a substantial majority, although at present he was elected from Islamabad's technocrat seat. Mushahid, who headed the Senate Standing Committee on Defence, is considered an expert on defence and foreign affairs. He is a strong advocate of close and friendly Pak-China relations.