Two PTI defectors Syed Samiul Hassan Gillani and Syed Mobeen Ahmed, who did not participate in the no-confidence vote against former prime minister Imran Khan on April 10, 2022, have joined the PML-N.

“They played an important role in the no-confidence motion and criticised the-then government when it was ruling,” PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah told a press conference in Lahore on Tuesday. “These friends did not cast a vote in the no-confidence vote.”

The development comes as the PML-N takes steps to maintain its grip in the country’s largest populated province, which determines the fate of the government in elections. Many experts have stressed that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif should “focus” on Punjab amid the emergence of the “King’s party”.

According to analyst Hamid Mir, Nawaz was aware of the situation. He claimed that the PML-N supremo would need the support of former PTI leaders Jahangir Khan Tareen and Pervez Khattak to become prime minister for the fourth time in his life.

Sanaullah stated that the N-league had the “sympathy” of Gillani and Ahmed in the past, but the party and the two leaders have decided that they would be part of the PML-N.

“They will hopefully accomplish our target from South Punjab,” he said.

Moreover, Syed Mehsud Alam from PP-255 and Syed Mubeen Zamin from PP-256 also joined the PML-N.

He expressed hope that the above mentioned leaders would win elections and the PML-N would be able to make a majority government in the delayed general elections on February 8.

Elections in Pakistan are scheduled for next year and the Supreme Court has ordered the government and Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure polls without any hurdles.

In response to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s criticism, Sanaullah said that the PML-N does not intend to go for a tit-for-tat approach and it would not increase the bitterness.

“If you want to lead this country then you have to take everyone along with you,” he said, adding that it was the political requirement of the PPP to criticise the opposition in Punjab.