Former Punjab CM Parvez Elahi joins PTI

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Parvez Elahi on Tuesday announced joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ahead of Punjab elections, Aaj News reported.

The development comes amid reports that PML-Q's Elahi faction might merge with the PTI.

Addressing a joint press conference with PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, Parvez Elahi said he and ten other PML-Q members have joined the PTI.

“We will always support PTI chief Imran Khan, and never do anything that harms their new party,” he said.

Speaking at the occasion, Fawad said all former lawmakers of the PML-Q participated in the meeting at Zaman Park on Tuesday.

“Moonis and Hussain Elahi also participated in the lengthy discussion regarding unity and integration,” he said.

Fawad further said there is still no trace of Elahi’s close associates Muhammad Khan Bhatti and Zaigham Gondal. “Aamir Rawn has also been missing for six days,” he said.

The move came moments after PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain canceled his membership in the party, and took back all powers.

Shujaat also wrote a letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the development.

He took the decision after Pervez Elahi failed to respond to the show-cause notice issued to him on January 16. The membership was suspended on January 26 and now stands canceled.

Chaudhry Shujaat had, in January, suspended the party membership of Parvez Elahi after the latter spoke about merging the PML-Q into the PTI.

Shujaat also directed Elahi against using party designations for any future correspondences.