Switching loyalties

Two months to go until the election and already more than a dozen politicians have switched loyalties in order to beef up their portfolios. There are also instances of disgruntled members having left their parties and aiming to contest as independents. The switching activity, although foreseeable at the time, has also surprised many in the country’s political circles.

a look at those who jumped ships from January 2013 onwards.

April 27, 2013

A former minister in Benazir Bhutto's first cabinet, Raja Shahid Zafar, joined PML-N from Rawalpindi.

Three of Shahid Zafar's friends are already in the electoral fray. They are Jaffar Hussain Shah from PP-6, who also contested the 2008 elections in the same constituency and got 16788 votes; Chaudhry Waris from PP-9 and Chaudhry Masood Akhter from PP-10.

These three candidates will also announce retirement from the electoral arena in favour of the PML-N.

April 24, 2013

Vice president PML-F of Larkana city, Mushtaque Ansari, along with another party candidate, Lala Asghar Sheikhannounced joining PPP. Ansari announced his decision at a press conference, in the presence of Sindh Assemble speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.

April 22, 2013

The Sindh United Party suffered a setback after party vice president, Shah Mahmood Shah announced his loyalty to PML-N. The declaration came at a big public gathering in Tando Allah Yar where PML-N cheif, Nawaz Sharif was to address the crowd.

Speaking about his decision, Shah said he has been accused of working for the PML-N even after parting ways. "So now, I will work openly for Mr. Sharif."

April 18, 2013

The ten party alliance in Sindh suffered a setback in Nawabshah, after PML-N's Sardar Sher Mohammad Rind announced contesting elections as an independent candidate. The decision came as alliance named PML-F's Syed Zahid Hussain Shah a joint candidate from Nawabshah-I.

Speaking to the media in a press conference, Rind said that it is sad the alliance discriminated against him, for a person who has lesser chances of winning. He added that though he will contest elections as an independent, he would "gift the seat to Mian Nawaz Sharif after winning it."

April 17, 2013

Former federal minister, Sikander Bosan left Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf to join Pakistan Muslim League N (PML-N). Regarded as a PTI heavy weight from Multan, Bosan's move came as a setback for the party.

In a press conference afterwards, Bosan said that his decision came after a meeting with Shahbaz Sharif and took the decision with the "consent" of his voters.

April 13, 2013

Former PPP MPA Ghulam Sarwar Siyal along with two of his relatives, resigned from party's basic membership, in a protest against party ticket given to Siyal's foe Altaf Hussain Unnar.

Addressing a press conference in Larkana, Siyal who won from PS-35 (Larkana) in 2008 general elections, said the party awarded ticket to Unnar, knowing fully well his questionable past record.

April 10, 2013

A PML-N leader Haji Shahid Noor joined PML-Q along with hisassociates and family members. In a press conference held at Peshawar Press Club, Noor criticised PML-N for distributing party tickets on the basis of 'favouritism and nepotism.' In the presence of PML-Q provincial general secretary, Intikhab Chamkani and Dr. Shaukat, Noor said that there is no place for honest workers in PML-N.

April 9, 2013

The well known and influential Sherazi brothers of Thatta decided to quit Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and contest elections as independent candidates on Tuesday. Speaking about their collective decision at a press conference held in Thatta, Shafqat Shah Sherazi said they were "disappointed" by the behaviour of PPP top cadre towards its workers.

According to reports, the decision came after PPP nominated Awais Muzaffar Tappi on PS-88 Ghorabari seat. Mr. Sherazi expressed reservation over party's decision for fielding an "anti-Sindhi" candidate on the coastal constituency.

The same day, Ghulam Qadir Malkani, from Thatta also announced quitting PPP and joining forces with the Sherazi group. According to reports, either Malkani or his brother will contest elections against PPP's Owais Muzaffar Tappi.

April 6, 2013

PPP woman wing’s president of Thatta chapter Ms Fehmida Shah and her husband, former MPA Shafique Ahmed Shah Bukhari, along with their colleagues joined the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Saturday.

They announced the decision of joining MQM during their meeting with the party’s Coordination Committee.

Accompanied by Dr Farooq Sattar, Ms Nasreen Jalil and other members at 90 Azizabad, Ms Shah said that she and her family had been associated with the PPP for last 35 years. However, she said that the party without Bhuttos (Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto) is not the same anymore.