ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has issued lists of its contesting candidates for national assembly and provincial assemblies seats for the upcoming general election.
According to the PTI central media cell statement, some 173 candidates were finalized for seats of theNational Assembly while 290 candidates for provincial assemblies.
Chairman PTI Imran Khan will contest the election on five seats of National Assembly including Islamabad (NA-53), Bannu (NA-35), Karachi (NA-243), Mianwali (NA-95) and Lahore (NA-131).
For Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, party tickets to 81 candidates for various constituencies had been issued so far while in Punjab, tickets for 165 constituencies had been issued.
Similarly, names of 21 candidates had been announced for 21 constituencies of Sindh and 23 for Balochistan assemblies so far.
Relevant pieces published earlier:
i) Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday expressed the hope that people would vote for his party by rejecting the traditional politics in the upcoming general election.
He stated this while talking to media at the residence of former deputy mayor Akhtar Bhutta, who joined PTI by quitting PML-N. Shah Mehmood claimed that previous PML-N government had disappointed the public as it failed to deliver during its five years tenure, adding the promise of ending power load shedding was not fulfilled.
Commenting on the provincial government in Punjab, he alleged PML-N was in power in the province since 2008, but it did nothing. Responding to a question about the book written by Imran Khan’s former wife Reham Khan, he alleged that she was being used for political reasons.
Responding to another query about PML-N’s decision that Maryam Nawaz would contest election from Multan, he said that it was her right to contest election from any constituency. He informed that he was willing to contest election from two constituencies of National Assembly including NA-156 and NA-221 (Sindh), adding that if the party allowed he would also contest the election on a constituency of Punjab Assembly from Multan. He rejected the news of exchanging harsh words between Jahangir Khan Tareen and him. (7th of June, 2018)
ii) PTI has withdrawn the nomination of Nasir Mahmood Khosa as caretaker chief minister of Punjab here today. It is pertinent to mention here that on Monday Leader of the Opposition who belongs to PTI had reached an accord with CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif regarding his name for the slot. However, just 48 hours later, PTI deemed it fit to withdraw the name of Nasir Mahmood Khosa citing general reaction to the proposal. It has further been maintained that since Khosa is linked with PML-N his choice for the important post was not apposite.
PTI will be proposing another name to the chief minister shortly. Minister for Defense Production Rana Taveer Hussain Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was an immature politician, who always adopted politics of confrontation, agitation, and chaos on different matters. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader in Provincial Assembly Mian Mehmood Rasheed had evolved a consensus on the appointment of Nasir Khosa as interim Chief Minister but later Imran Khan halted it, he said talking to a private news channel.
The minister said Imran Khan was unaware of the political situation and integrity and capabilities of bureaucrats as cancellation of Nasir Khosa appointment was ample proof of the fact. He said Mehmood Rasheed appreciated the appointment of Nasir Khosa but Imran Khan back out on the decision which showed his immaturity. He said PTI was scared of the popularity of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Punjab.
Rana Tanveer Hussain advised making Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) more powerful to carry out the transparent general election on stipulated time. PTI was demanding to conduct elections on August in this year which was its unconstitutional demand and the general polls would hold on July 25, he assured. He said the PML-N government strengthened the national economy, overcame power shortage and eliminated the menace of terrorism from the country. (30th of May, 2018)
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qayyum Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf once again took a U-turn by taking back the name of caretaker chief minister Punjab. Talking to a private news channel, he said such decisions by PTI showed that its leadership lacked decision power and that they did not have trust in themselves.
The PTI had to give names of interim CMs in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and it had taken back both after a consensus was developed, he said. The senator said PTI on one side was presenting agenda to govern the country if elected, while on the other side, its leadership was unable to take the decision on caretaker set up.
He said PTI had been doing immature politics on a various matter and after recent episode of appointment of caretaker CM, people would avoid going with PTI. To a question, Abdul Qayyum lauded the role of armed forces and said they were fighting on many fronts including safeguarding borders and rendering sacrifices in the war against terrorism in the country.(3oth May 2018)
ii) Outgoing CM Punjab took to the twitter to announce that he and the leader of the opposition had agreed on the name of former bureaucrat Nasir Saeed Khosa as caretaker chief minister of the Province.
According to details, Opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed called on Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here at Chief Minister’s Office today. Both agreed to nominate a consensus caretaker chief minister and announced Nasir Saeed Khosa as caretaker Chief Minister Punjab.
Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said, the name of Nasir Saeed Khosa had been agreed upon after consultation with the opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed. “Some names were suggested during the earlier meeting and we have consulted our party leadership afterward. After the consultations, we have agreed on one name and this democratic harmony is the beauty of the democratic system,” he added.
He said Nasir Khosa had performed his duties with utmost honesty and hard work during his service career and he was hopeful that Khosa would come up to the expectations of masses. He hoped that Nasir Khosa would utilize his diverse experience and professional abilities for holding transparent elections so that the political parties could independently take part in the elections and everybody could have same opportunities in the election process.
“It is hoped that people will be at liberty to give votes to the parties of their choice and democratic process will be continued. It is the victory of the people and I am thankful to Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed as the consultation process gives impetus to the democracy,” he added.
Opposition leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed said second meeting with Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had proved fruitful and after considering different names and discussion with the PTI leader Imran Khan, they had agreed on the name of Nasir Saeed Khosa. “I am hopeful that he shall play his role most objectively with regard to holding of free, fair and transparent elections. I also extend congratulations to the people of Punjab,” he further said.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday congratulated Justice (Retd.) Nasirul Mulk on his nomination as caretaker Prime Minister. In a statement, she said the consensus of the government and opposition on the name of Nasirul Mulk was a good omen and felicitated Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said every Pakistani deserves to be greeted at the start of a new chapter of strengthening of democracy and democratic process in Pakistan.”We salute the political and democratic forces on ten years of continuity of democracy in Pakistan.” Marriyum expressed the hope that while amicably performing his responsibilities, the nominated Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk will ensure holding of free, fair and transparent elections in the country
It is pertinent to mention here that while Khosla has previously served as chief secretary in Punjab as well as Balochistan, one of his brothers is a PSP officer who had served as DG FIA while another is a Supreme Court Judge.
Earlier it was announced that retired Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk (who had served as the 22nd CJP) will be the caretaker prime minister. This was announced jointly here today by Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi after a meeting. It is pertinent to mention here that today’s meeting was the sixth between the leader of the opposition and the prime minister.
Senator Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Barrister Javed Abbasi today expressed optimism that interim-set up under the dynamic leadership of retired chief Justice Nasir ul Malik would ensure the free, fair and transparent election in the country. Congratulating all the political parties including Opposition for developing consensus with the present leadership, on the name of Ex-CJ Nasir ul Malik to run the affairs of interim-set up, he said it was a good gesture in the present circumstances.
He said that decision was given in the favor of former Chief Justice who had an unprecedented history in the judicial matters, would help pave the way for transparent elections across the country. To a question, he said that PML-N had a great respect in the parliament. To another question, he said that Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf had ousted the members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for selling their votes in the Senate elections. Replying to a question, he said that the next election was very near and accountability bureau should avoid opening of the cases against the leaders of PML-N.
Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Senator Sirjaul Haq, welcomed the nomination of Justice (R) Nasirul Mulk as caretaker Prime Minister. Talking to different delegations at Mansoora here today he expressed the hope that the caretaker Premier would ensure holding of a fair, free and transparent election. He was confident that the MMA would be able to pool together the religious vote and secure a big victory in the polls.
Senator Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), Lt General (Retd), Abdul Qayyum on Monday said that the interim-set up would facilitate election commission for smooth and fair election. Strengthening the institution of election commission would help pave the way for a transparent election, he said while talking to a news channel. The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), the government had made electoral reforms, he said.
The reforms bill for Federally Administered Tribal Areas had also been done with the efforts of present government, he added. There was a need to have work on judicial reforms for further improving the system, he said. To a question about consensus on the name of interim-prime minister, he said it was imperative to have interim-set up for taking decisions and running the affairs of the state without any problem. He said selecting retired chief justice Nasir ul Malik was the better choice in the present scenario.
