Imran Khan & Bilawal Zardari decide to stand for elections in multiple constituencies - Wise move?

[MenInG]

Imran Khan & Bilawal Zardari decide to stand for elections in multiple constituencies - Wise move?

ISLAMABAD: Heads of the country’s three largest parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – have decided to contest the elections on multiple National Assembly seats in the July 25 elections, Dawn has learnt.

PTI chairman Imran Khan will be contesting on three National Assembly seats from Punjab and one each from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.

A senior PPP office-bearer, who remained a part of the party’s parliamentary board which finalised the tickets, said that PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would contest the election from Karachi and Larkana in Sindh and Malakand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said that former president Asif Zardari also had a plan to contest the NA seat from Nawabshah, but so far he had not made a final decision in this regard.

Imran to run for five NA seats; Shahbaz, Bilawal may file papers in three constituencies

When contacted, PML-N’s acting secretary general Ahsan Iqbal said that party president Shahbaz Sharif had been advised by the party members that he should contest the elections from multiple constituencies.

Sources said that besides contesting the election on an NA seat from Lahore, Shahbaz Sharif was also considering filing the papers from NA-192 Dera Ghazi Khan.

According to PTI’s information secretary Fawad Chaudhry, Imran Khan plans to contest the elections for the NA seats from Lahore, Rawalpindi and Mianwali, Bannu and Karachi.

In the 2013 elections, he had contested from Mianwali (NA-71), Lahore (NA-122), Rawalpindi (NA-56) and Peshawar (NA-1).

Mr Khan had lost the Lahore seat to former NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq whereas he had managed to win the other three seats. However, he later decided to retain his seat won from Rawalpindi and vacated the other two seats. In the by-elections, the PTI, however, lost the Peshawar seat to Ghulam Ahmed Bilour of the Awami National Party.

Mr Khan has already obtained nomination papers from NA-243 Karachi East. He had stated recently that without uplifting of Karachi, Pakistan could not be developed.

The decision of Mr Khan to contest the election from Bannu, which is generally considered a stronghold of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), has made the contest very interesting. The JUI-F, which is contesting the July 25 elections from the platform of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), has not yet finalised the candidates, but it is believed that Mr Khan will either face JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman or former KP chief minister Akram Durrani in this constituency.

The PTI’s information secretary said that it didn’t matter for the party whether Mr Khan faced Maulana Fazlur Rehman or Akram Durrani or any other candidate. He claimed that Mr Khan this time did not consider the option of contesting the elections from Peshawar and opted to run for the NA seat from Bannu under a “planned strategy”. He claimed that the PTI was very strong in Peshawar and they were hopeful of winning all the seats from the city. He said Mr Khan had planned to contest from Bannu which was at the centre of KP so that he could lead a systematic movement in the province.

Similarly, he said that it was at the last moment that Mr Khan had decided to contest the election from Rawalpindi. This time, however, he said the PTI chairman would be contesting from a different constituency NA-61 (former NA-54) comprising cantonment areas from Golra Morr to Soan Camp. Previously this seat had been won by PML-N’s Malik Abrar.

Mr Chaudhry claimed that the party had almost finalised its candidates all over the country and the final list would be uploaded on the party’s official website any time.

Responding to a question, he said the party took too much time in finalising the candidates because it had scrutinised the applications very strictly.

The PTI has already finalised its candidates for 11 NA seats and 17 Sindh Assembly seats.

PTI’s vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi will contest the election from NA-221 Tharparkar; Liaqaut Ali Jatoi from NA-234 Dadu-I; Karim Ali Jatoi from NA-235 Dadu-II and Dr Arif Alvi from NA-247 Karachi South.

The others who have been awarded the party tickets for the NA seats are Syed Tahir Hussain Shah (NA-206 Sukkur-1); Mubeen Ahmed (NA-207 Sukkur-II); Mohammad Hakam (NA-227 Hyderabad-III); Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah (NA-228 Tando Mohammad Khan); Malik Pahar Khan (NA-233 Jamshoro); Saifur Rehman (NA-242 Karachi East-I) and Syed Ali Hyder Zaidi (NA-244 Karachi East-III).

Shaharyar Khan Shar (PS-18); Mir Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Lound (PS-21); Ghulam Ali Abbas (PS-22); Ghulam Shah Mardan (PS-23); Asghar Ali (PS-52); Dost Mohammad (PS-53); Umaid Ali Junejo (PS-67); Mohammad Altaf Nizamani (PS-68); Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah (PS-69); Zaib Nisa (PS-78); Ahsan Ali Jatoi (PS-83); Sadaqat Ali Jatoi (PS-84); Ashique Ali Zounr (PS-85); Bandah Ali Leghari (PS-86); Haleem Adil Shaikh (PS-99); Khurram Sher Zaman (PS-110) and Imran Ismail (PS-111) have been awarded tickets for the Sindh Assembly seats.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1412759/key-party-leaders-to-contest-polls-on-more-than-one-seat

 

[hussain.r97]

The main reason for contesting on multiple seats is to create a wave of support. However, the problem is that when someone withdraws from a seat you antagonize the voters there and chances are that they won't come out to vote again, or they will vote against you. In my opinion 5 seats for Imran Khan is a bit much, there is definitely no point in contesting in Mianwali unless he has that as a safe option. Another one that could probably be dropped is Bannu or even Rawalpindi. I think Imran Khan is most likely to retain one of the seats in either Karachi or Lahore.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Shahbaz to run for three Karachi, two Punjab NA seats

KARACHI/LAHORE: For the first time in past few decades, the country’s largest city is set to see the leadership of at least three major political parties contesting from its various constituencies as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz also decided to field its president Shahbaz Sharif from here after Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan has opted for it.

Mr Sharif, who assumed the party’s highest post after the disqualification of his elder brother Nawaz Sharif, would contest for three National Assembly seats from Karachi, NA-248, NA-249 and NA-250, PML-N leaders confirmed to Dawn after the party’s parliamentary board meeting in Lahore on Sunday.

However, they said, the PML-N president might not visit Karachi on Monday — the last day for filing nomination papers for the general elections — due to his preoccupation somewhere else. Instead, a former Punjab minister Rana Mashhood would file the papers, which have already been received by the party’s general secretary in Sindh Saleem Zia, on his behalf.

“The PML-N parliamentary board members are of the opinion that the party head should contest from Karachi as well, because law and order has been restored to the city due to PML-N government’s policies,” said PML-N leader Mohammad Mehdi.

Just a couple of days ago, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had announced that the party chairman, Imran Khan, would contest the upcoming elections from Karachi’s NA-243 constituency also, while Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will contest from the PPP’s stronghold, Lyari, for NA-246 seat.

Maryam gets party ticket for NA-125, NA-127

Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Farooq Sattar and Pak Sarzameen Party chief Mustafa Kamal will contest from the NA-247 constituency comprising areas of Defence, Clifton, Saddar, Arambagh and Karachi cantonment.

Khawaja Tariq Nazeer, PML-N’s information secretary, said Rana Mashhood would file nomination papers of his party president in the constituencies falling in Karachi’s West district. PML-N leaders, however, said Mr Sharif might withdraw from NA-250 in support of Awami National Party (ANP) chief Shahi Syed in case of seat adjustment.

A PML-N insider said Mr Sharif would contest from NA-249. “Shahbaz may file nomination papers from three constituencies of Karachi but he would contest from NA-249.” Earlier, PML-N information secretary Senator Mushahidullah Khan had planned to contest from NA-249.

NA-249 (West II) comprises Saeedabad, Gulshan-i-Ghazi, Naval Colony, Ittehad Town, Rasheedabad, Islam Nagar, parts of Baldia Town, Mominabad, etc.

“Since the PML-N stands a good chance from this constituency Shahbaz Sharif will take his chances from NA-249,” he added.

While the PML-N is under immense pressure in Punjab, where many of its electable leaders have joined the PTI, it is hopeful that its performance in Sindh may improve in the upcoming elections.

Besides Karachi, Mr Sharif is likely to run for two NA seats — one each from Lahore and Dera Ghazi Khan. “The decision whether or not Shahbaz should also contest on a provincial assembly seat in Punjab has not been taken by the board. But former foreign minister Khwaja Asif will contest for a provincial seat in addition to the National Assembly from Sialkot,” the PML-N insider said, adding that one could not say with certainty at the moment if Shahbaz had a role to play in the Centre and Khwaja Asif might be retained in Punjab for party politics.

Maryam,Hamza

Shahbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz appeared before the party’s parliamentary board on Sunday to seek tickets for polls, apparently making it mandatory for everyone, including the party’s maverick leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, to appear before the board to obtain the ticket.

Chaudhry Nisar reacted to this condition by asking whether it had ever happened in the past that the most senior members of the party, who had been elected members of parliament several times, were made to appear before the board to seek the party ticket.

“I ask the Jati Umra residents (the Sharifs) to not make mockery of themselves by indulging in such childish acts and also not ridicule me,” he said in a statement.

He asked the PMLN leadership to stop making excuses for not awarding him the party ticket.

Maryam Nawaz, who also appeared before the party’s parliamentary board at its sixth meeting for party ticket on Sunday, has filed nomination papers for two Lahore seats — NA-125 and NA-127 — while she is expected to file nomination papers for another NA seat from any other part of Punjab. “Maryam will contest either from NA-125 or NA-127. The NA-125 was previously NA-120 from where her mother, Kulsoom Nawaz, had won the by-polls in September last, but she will choose any one of the Lahore seats on a party survey report,” the insider said.

Hamza Shahbaz, son of Shahbaz Sharif, is likely to be awarded party ticket for one national seat and one provincial seat from Lahore.

Ex-interior minister Ahsan Iqbal will contest for an NA seat in Narowal. Former railways minister Saad Rafique announced that since his constituency had been divided into three (constituencies) he would file his nomination papers for two NA seats in Lahore. “Now I will file nomination papers for NA-129 and NA-131 (Lahore),” he said

https://www.dawn.com/news/1413435/shahbaz-to-run-for-three-karachi-two-punjab-na-seats

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Looks like Shahbaz will also contest from multiple seats.Interesting move.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Imran Khan's NA-243 Karachi nomination papers challenged

KARACHI: An appeal against PTI Chairman Imran Khan's nomination papers filed from NA-243 Karachi was filed on Tuesday afternoon.

The PTI chairman has submitted nominations from National Assembly constituencies in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Mianwali.

Citizen Abdul Wahab Baloch filed an appeal against Imran Khan's candidature with a returning officer today over the Sita White case.

The PTI chief's legal counsel Imran Ismail appeared before court and was asked if he had received a copy of the appeal. To this, Ismail applied in affirmitive and asked for some time for cross-examination.

Ismail informed the court that the PTI chief was in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

"Only Imran can respond in this case, hence we ask till June 19 since the PTI chief will return to the country on June 18," said Ismail.

To this, the court said that the appeal was not a judicial case and the rules outlined by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) were to be followed. It ordered Ismail to file a request for an extension to submit a respond, the verdict on which will also be announced on June 19.

Ismail then submitted a written request, asking the court for more time to submit a response to the appeal against Imran's candidacy.

Scrutiny of Imran's nomination papers was then postponed till June 19, which is the last date for the process.

'Accusations made for cheap publicity'

While talking to the media outside the court, Ismail said that the accusations had been levelled against Imran either to gain 'cheap publicity' or at someone's behest.

"They either drag in Sita White or ask Reham Khan to write a book," Ismail said.

"The allegations pertain to [Imran's] personal life and the Supreme Court has already cleared all objections [in this regard]," he said.

Appeals against any objection to the decisions of returning officers can be filed by June 22, after the scrutiny process ends on June 19.

The verdicts on appeals will be announced by June 27, after which, the revised list of candidates will be issued on June 28.

Candidates will be able to withdraw their nomination papers on June 29, and the electoral body will announce the final list of candidates on the same day.

The electoral symbols will be issued to candidates on June 30 and polling will be conducted on June 25.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/198987-imran-khans-na-243-nomination-papers-challenged

 

[MenInG]

The Sindh Elections Appellate Tribunal on Saturday rejected a petition against the acceptance of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's nomination papers, clearing him to contest the election from Karachi's NA-243.

The appeal had been filed by a candidate from former chief justice Chaudhry Iftikhar's Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party (PJDP).

The appeal had pointed to Khan's alleged failure to disclose the sponsors of his foreign trips and information on who bears the expenditure of his children as well as his failure to mention his alleged daughter in the nomination papers.

While Khan will be able to contest the election on the Karachi seat — which comprises Gulshan-i-Iqbal and parts of Jamshed Quarters — his appeals against the rejection of nomination papers from NA-95 (Mianwali) and NA-53 (Islamabad) are still pending with the Punjab and Islamabad election tribunals.

Other than these seats, the PTI chief is also in the run for NA-35 (Bannu) and NA-131 (Lahore). Khan yesterday announced he would formally begin his election campaign from Mianwali, from where he was elected in 2002.

The tribunal also issued notices on appeals against the rejection of papers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan's (MQM-P) Farooq Sattar and the acceptance of former chief minister Murad Ali Shah's nomination papers.

Meanwhile, the Punjab tribunal cleared Maryam Nawaz to contest elections from PP-173, rejecting an appeal against acceptance of her nomination papers.

A separate appeal, filed by PTI's Yameen Rashid, is still pending with the tribunal against the acceptance of Maryam's papers for NA-125.

The PML-N, however, announced yesterday that its board had decided that the former prime minister's daughter would contest the elections from NA-127 (Lahore) and PP-173.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1415647/imran-khan-cleared-to-contest-karachis-na-243-seat