KARACHI / LAHORE / PESHAWAR: As the ECP announced the schedule of general elections in Pakistan, major political parties have rolled up their sleeves to initiate the polling campaign. From forming election agendas to finalising candidates for crucial seats, all parties spent a busy weekend. Earlier it was expected that the LHC ruling would cause a delay in elections.
Political parties ignited the campaign fever in several cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; giving a substantial boost to advertisers and printing press businesses.
Pakistan Peoples Party will commence their election campaign on December 27 from Garh Khuda Baksh as it is also the commemoration date for former premier Benazir Bhutto. PPP claimed to move forward from traditional political approaches and embrace a new direction for general elections.
On the other hand, PML-N and JUI-F are in conversation for seat adjustments in Punjab. The meetings focused on election strategies and seat allocation. Reports suggest that JUI-F and PML-N will soon finalise the formula for seat adjustment.
PTI President Parvez Elahi praised the decision of Supreme Court which directed the ECP to release the schedule for general elections. He demanded equal opportunities for PTI candidates. He met Advocate Sardar Abdul Razaq in Adiala Jail and said that the apex court ruling has squashed any plots to delay the elections.
Latif Khosa Joins PTI
The Imran Khan founded PTI got a major boost when PPP leader & former Punjab governor Latif Khosa announced joining the PTI. He made the announcement at his residence in Lahore, with a PTI flag wrapped around his neck. Latif Khosa asked how long the nation would continue watching the game of removing prime ministers. He added that those who uphold the Constitution became mortal.
Awami National Party (ANP) revealed its chosen candidates for nine provincial and four national assembly constituencies. Ashraf Dawar has been nominated to compete for both provincial assembly and national assembly seats. He has served briefly as a special assistant to the caretaker chief minister.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) central executive committee called an emergency meeting to discuss the electoral landscape amid the announcement of the election schedule. PAT leader Qazi Zahid Hussain virtually attended the Lahore meeting. The party made it clear that they would not form alliances and discussed complete engagement for upcoming general elections.
Schedule of General Elections by ECP
