PML-N decides not to field candidate in Sindh for by-elections

F.P Report

LAHORE: PML-N secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal made announced on Saturday saying that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an 11-party Opposition alliance, will jointly compete in the by-polls.

While speaking to the media in Lahore, Ahsan Iqbal expressed his hope saying that the PDM’s member parties would offer “complete support” during by-elections on seats that were won by the PML-N.

While talking about Sindh he added that “We have decided not to field a candidate in Sindh for by-elections on seats that were won by the PPP.”

The development comes only days before the by-polls are set to take place on two National Assembly and five provincial assemblies’ seats. It should be underscored that By-polls for Sindh Assembly’s PS-43 (Sanghar III) and PS-88 (Malir II) and Balochistan Assembly’s PB-20 (Pishin III) will be held on February 16, 2021, while the voters in NA-45 (Kurram I) and NA-75 (Sialkot IV) and Punjab Assembly’s PP-51 (Gujranwala I) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s PK-63 (Nowshera III) will elect their representatives on February 19, 2021.

It should be noted that few days prior, the leaders of the 11-party alliance made announcement that parties which are a part of the PDM would take part in the by-polls, but a decision related to the Senate elections will be taken later on.

Additionally the PML-N leader Khurram Dastagir said that the party held a meeting on Saturday to discuss the upcoming by-elections. While speaking to the media Dastagir said, “The resignations will be given after the Senate elections.”

He added that they will be submitted at a time when the party considers the Parliament no longer functional.

While shedding light upon opposition’s stance he said that their aim was to hold transparent elections, not submit resignations. He added that the opposition would not back down from resigning. “These are the milestones to reach our goal and we will devise our strategy according to the situation at the time.”