Former MNA from NA 56 Rawalpindi, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi has joined Pakistan Muslim League (N) as announcement to this effect he made while addressing a joint press conference with PML (N) leader Raja Zafar ul Haq at the residence of Chaudhry Tanveer Ahmed here on Tuesday.
Hanif Abbasi said he joined PML (N) unconditionally adding he made this decision according to his conscience against the decision of Jamaat leadership regarding boycott in the general elections. Hanif Abbasi said he would work as worker under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for the cause of the party and promotion of democracy in the country.
It is worth mentioning that Hanif Abbasi is contesting elections in constituency NA-56 against former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, and in the by-elections 2002, Hanif Abbasi on the ticket of MMA defeated Nazim Rawal Town Sheikh Rashid Shafique, nephew of Sheikh Rashid, on the seat left by Sheikh Rashid Ahmed after winning elections from both the constituencies NA-55 and NA-56.
On the occasion chairman PML (N) Raja Zafar ul Haq said with joining of Hanif Abbasi in the Muslim League the PML (N) would be more strong and it would help infuse spirit in the people under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.
About taking part in the elections he said that in APDM meeting Nawaz Sharif had submitted a report that if all the parties would not go into boycott that would be meaningless saying he also met with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Moulana Fazlur Rehman in this regard.
He said Nawaz Sharif's stand was clear in his vision that there must be an effective boycott otherwise parties should take part in the elections, he added.
He said to take part in the elections was the only way to establish effective link with the public saying by this decision we preferred to move towards the public court, which he said was the manifesto of the PML (N). He appreciated the spirit of Muhammad Hanif Abbasi for joining the PML (N) saying he respects Abbasi for determination and commitment for the cause of democracy.
He termed the rejection of nomination papers of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif a conspiracy to oust the real leadership from the scene saying but PML (N) leadership believes in restoration of real democracy and judiciary and would continue struggle to achieve this supreme target irrespective of any slot and without gaining the power, he added.