Ex-MNA MQM-P Rashid Godial joins PTI

Former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Rashid Godial of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (MPL-N) MNA Sardar Ghulam Abbas on Sunday joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Both the politicians announced to join the PTI after their separate meetings with the party chairman Imran Khan at Bani Gala. Former PTI secretary general Jahangir Tareen, Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed and Zulfi Bukhari also attended the meetings.
According to an official announcement by the PTI Central Media Department, Imran Khan 'warmly welcomed' Godial in the party.
The notification said Rashid Godial expressed his complete confidence in the leadership of Imran Khan and the PTI's manifesto. On this occasion, Imran Khan issued a video message in which he said the dream of making Pakistan a developed country could never be fulfilled without uplifting Karachi.
He hoped the PTI would improve its performance in Karachi in the upcoming general elections.
He predicted that PTI would emerge as the single largest party in Karachi.
Imran said Godial's joining would help him bring 'real change' in Karachi. He said Godial had a good network in Karachi, which would prove beneficial for the PTI.
Rashid Godial, 58, hails from business community. During the 2008 general election, he was elected MNA on an MQM ticket from NA-252, Karachi.
He retained his NA membership from the same constituency in the 2013 general election.
In August 2015, Godial survived an assassination bid and was critically wounded after unidentified attackers opened fire at his vehicle near his residence in Karachi's Bahadurabad area.
He had suffered five bullet wounds on his chest, head and arm.
He was travelling with his driver and a family member when the attack took place.
His driver was also injured in the incident, and was shifted to a private hospital where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Politician Sardar Ghulam Abbas, who quit Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) last month, has joined PTI. According to a press release from the party issued on Sunday, Ghulam Abbas met PTI chairman Imran Khan and announced to join the party.