Qadir was seen with PML-N leaders, including Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz, in a video message published by the Nawaz Sharif-led party, declaring that he is “back home”.
The loss of the Lahore seat, which Qadir won by defeating PML-N’s Sheikh Rohail Asgher by more than 8,000 votes, is a significant setback for the PTI, as the PML-N and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have already stated that they will seek the support of independent candidates to gain power.
“I’m Waseem Qadir. I was the PTI’s Lahore secretary-general. “I have returned to my home,” said the ex-PTI leader, who is the first elected member to leave the party after the elections.
“For the development of my constituency and my people, I have joined Muslim League-Noon again,” Qadir said in a statement.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party ranks second with 79 seats after Thursday’s elections, lacking a clear majority but being the largest single party in parliament due to Imran Khan-backed independents running individually.
Following the election results, both the PTI and the PML-N declared victory, adding to the country’s uncertainty as it faces a number of pressing difficulties, including negotiating a new International Monetary Fund program to keep a faltering economy running.
