Gohar Ayub accompanied by his son Omar Ayub, former provincial assembly speaker Habibullah Tareen, former provincial minister Akhtar Shah and an MPA Raja Faisal met PML-N President at his Raiwind residence and announced to join the PML-N reposing complete confidence in the leadership.
During the meeting, views were exchanged over current political and economic situation besides matters of mutual interest. Views were also exchanged over forthcoming general elections. Nawaz Sharif welcomed these leaders into the party fold and expressed optimism that they would utilise their energies for public welfare. PML-N leaders including Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi, Zafar Iqbal Jhaggra, Pir Sabir Shah, Khawaja Mohammad Hoti, Salahuddin Tirmizi, Amir Muqam, Farid Tofan were also present on the occasion.
It may be noted that from 1993-1997, Gohar Ayub served as Deputy Opposition Leader during the second tenure of the late Benazir Bhutto-led PPP government. He was then appointed the foreign minister in Nawaz Sharif's cabinet after the 1997 elections. Despite being one of the few close aides of Nawaz Sharif, Gohar parted ways when he was jailed and exiled.
Gohar Ayub later joined the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and fielded his son Omar on a PML-Q ticket in NA-19 Haripur as he did not have a bachelor's degree at the time. Omar, although a political novice, defeated Pir Sabir Shah, the sitting president of PML-N KP with a heavy margin and was chosen as minister of state for finance in the cabinet of then-prime minister Shaukat Aziz. In 2008 elections, Omar lost to PML-N candidate Sardar Mushtaq Khan with a margin of over 40,000 votes. After meeting with Nawaz Sharif, Gohar Ayub told reporters that they expressed their full confidence in the PML-N leadership and would play their due role for the success of the PML-N in the coming elections.