SIALKOT: Pasrur-based independent MPA-elect Rana Liaqat Ali has formally joined the PML-N after his meeting with the party’s president Shahbaz Sharif.

PML-N central leaders Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Hamza Shahbaz were also present in the meeting.

Later at a press conference here on Monday, Mr Liaqat said he had joined the PML-N in the larger interest of the people of his constituency. He also expressed his full confidence in the party leadership.

He was elected as MPA from PP-39 (Sialkot-V), Pasrur. He had also been the president of PML-N Germany.

He wanted to contest 2018 poll from the PML-N platform but was denied ticket.

The party leadership awarded the ticket to Mirza Altaf Hussain, who was PML-N Saudi Arabia president.

Mr Liaqat contested the polls as an independent candidate from the constituency and defeated Mr Hussain by a slight margin of 132 votes.

With Mr Liaqat’s joining it, the PML-N has now nine seats out of total 11 seats of the Punjab Assembly in Sialkot district.

SEMINAR: A UK-based logistics and e-commerce solution company will organise a day-long seminar on “E-ZEE selling solutions” at the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Tuesday (today).

SCCI vice president Abid A Khawaja said at the seminar senior experts of the company would give detailed lectures on the access to international markets for Sialkot-based exporters.

ARRESTED: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) claimed to have arrested three alleged human traffickers from Sialkot during a crackdown.

FIA Deputy Director Mufakhar Adeel said the suspects -- Liaqat, Iqbal and Bashir -- had allegedly been sending locals abroad illegally after charging hefty amounts from them.

He said the suspects had been sent to jail after registration of separate cases against them.

Published in Dawn, August 07th, 2018