RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party Punjab dissidents have deferred their decision to join Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf until the final verdict of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, said party sources. “Outcome of the non-stop hearing of JIC would set the future politics in Punjab,” they added.

The joining of both Samsam Bukhari and Ashraf Sohna from district Okara earlier had opened a debate that party dissidents are eyeing for better position in the upcoming local bodies elections in the Punjab.

The LB elections are scheduled to take place on September 20. There are reports that the elections may be delayed until Muharram by the Punjab government. However, no such decision has so far been taken by it. Sources said the Punjab government was also waiting for the verdict of JIC.

Independent political circles are expecting a frenzy election for local bodies in case the party stalwarts joined the PTI after the Eid. They said the politics in the Punjab might take decisive turns in case the former succeeded in using the post-verdict scenario in its favour.

Party sources have pointed out that a comprehensive strategy is being evolved to strengthen party position in Punjab. They said the top party leadership is likely to stay in Punjab permanently to motivate party workers for LB elections.