General Zia-ul-Haq's first cousin joins PPP

Lahore, Jan 27 (ANI): The first cousin of General Zia-ul-Haq, Abdul Waheed, has joined the Pakistan People's Party.

Former Ambassador Waheed, who defeated Salman Taseer twice in the general elections, announced his decision to join the PPP on Monday at a press conference in presence of PPP Lahore President Asghar Gujjar and Finance Secretary of Punjab Aurangzeb Barki.

Waheed said the PPP was the only party, which represented the masses and raised its voice for the poor and downtrodden of the country.

He said the PPP was the only party, which had always promoted the politics of tolerance and reconciliation, and this policy adopted by the party leadership, had influenced him to join the PPP.

Stating that the country is passing through very crucial times after the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto, he said some elements raised the voice to divide Pakistan, but President Asif Ali Zardari has foiled the conspiracy by chanting the slogan of "Pakistan Khapay" (Pakistan needed).

Asked about his close association with Zia-ul-Haq, who was known for depriving the PPP of its founder, Waheed said: "Now, is the time to sort out our differences and forget the past."

He said he was born in a family of Muslim Leaguers who struggled for independence and later remained a part of the PML-N whose leaders have turned their party into an ethnic party.

Criticizing the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders, Waheed said those who had attacked the Supreme Court of Pakistan and wanted to become Amir-ul-Momineen by amending the laws, were now claiming to be the protectors of the judiciary. (ANI)