ISLAMABAD: A leader of former chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party (PJDP), who had sought disqualification of incumbent Prime Minister Imran Khan, has decided to withdraw his petition and joined the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) after quitting his party.

Abdul Wahab Baloch was PJDP’s general secretary who had contested for NA-53 (Islamabad) seat which was won by Imran Khan in the July elections and later retained by the PTI in by-poll.

Mr Baloch had raised objections to the nomination papers of Mr Khan for ‘concealing’ his alleged love child even before the general elections. He later filed petitions seeking Mr Khan’s disqualification on the same grounds.

According to the PTI’s central media department, Abdul Wahab Baloch decided to join the PTI and announced withdrawal of all the pending litigation against PM Khan.

Some other PJDP office-bearers also parted ways with the ex-CJP to join the PTI, added the statement issued by the PTI media department.

PM’s special assistant on political affairs Naeemul Haq welcomed the newcomers, according to the statement that termed the development shocking for the party of the former chief justice.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2018