ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi have recently made telephonic contact and exchanged views on by-polls in PP-23 Chakwal.
The two leaders reiterated their resolve to stop the rigging in by-polls, and took the stance that it makes no difference if PPP does not support them in by-polls. “We are going to the masses on the basis of our performance and principled stand. We hope success will come to us,” Elahi was quoted by the sources as saying.
PTI and PML-Q have joined hands for fielding a joint candidate for PP-23 (Chakwal), which fell vacant last month due to the demise of PML-N’s Malik Zahoor Awan. The by-polls are scheduled for April 18.
Sources in Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid told media that PTl had approached Pervaiz Elahi to put up a joint candidate for the seat and the latter agreed in principle.
The PML-Q initially wanted the joint candidate to contest as an independent but accepted the PTl request that the joint candidate should contest under the PTl election symbol, according to sources.
The PP-23 falls in the Natoinal Assembly constituency of NA-61 where PML-Q has large following. Though Pervez Elahi lost this seat (NA-61) in 2013 general election to the PML-N but he secured 98,414 votes.
Moreover, in 2013 election PML-Q`s Sardar Amjad Ilyas Kotehra was runners-up with 46,231 votes against PML-N`s Malik Zahoor Awan who obtained 54,949 votes whereas PTI’s Surkhru Awan had stood third with 23,578 votes.
PTI central leader Jahangir Tareen has said that PTI candidate has been allowed by the court to contest by polls in PP-23 using the bat symbol.
He maintained that Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench has issued detailed decision, which they welcomed. PTI candidate Sultan would contest by election in PP-23 without any hindrance.
