DUBAI ,February3 , 2012:Scores of UAE-based Pakistani tribal sardars (elders) having huge following back home joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at a solidarity meeting of the party in Dubai on Wednesday.A large number of prominent Pakistanis from various emirates also joined the PML-N at the meeting organised by Chaudhry Noorul Hassan Tanvir, party President for the Middle East, and Chaudhry Mohammed Altaf, President for the UAE. The meeting was attended by Pakistanis from all its provinces, specially from Balochistan and Sindh, and from different walks of life and professions. The tribal sardars held a dastar bandi (turban tying) ceremony for Tanvir and Altaf for their services to the party and to overseas Pakistanis. Tanvir said that similar meetings will be held throughout February until March 23, Pakistan’s National Day, in various emirates since many more people wanted to join the party and express their trust in party President Nawaz Sharif. He said that as part of party reorganisation overseas, its youth, ladies and other wings have been merged into the central party in the UAE and their office bearers given central positions. Tanvir said that the PML-N UAE had helped the party in Pakistan with millions of rupees for welfare work. For instance, Rs12 million for hospital in Swat and Rs12.5 million for flood victims. An amount of Rs1 million was given to Punjab government’s Akhuwwat fund for distribution among the needy as Qarz-e-Hasna (loan without interest). In addition, Rs70 million were raised from the Middle East for the under construction PML-N headquarter, Muslim League House, in Lahore. He said that the large number of overseas Pakistanis joining the PML-N reflected their confidence in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif who had not compromised despite being jailed and living in exile. Altaf said that the PML-N was not after seats but wanted to serve the people Pakistan. Tribal sardar Malik Mir Shah Jan said that the they had selected Nawaz Sharif on merit as he was the only man who treated all as equal and with respect. Another sardar Shah Zah Din said Pakistan was an underdeveloped country because of the policies of the present government and they were supporting Sharif to make the country strong. Another sardar Umar Zai said that the tribes, who have given maximum sacrifices for Pakistan, were with Sharif because he had solved their difficulties during his rule.
