PAT announces support for PTI candidate in NA-122 by-poll

Polling for NA-122 is due on Oct 11 with a close contest expected between PTI's Aleem Khan and PML-N's Ayaz Sadiq

LAHORE: The Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) announced on Tuesday its support for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the upcoming NA-122 by-poll by withdrawing their candidate in favour of the latter.

The party withdrew its PP-147 candidate Ishtiaq Ahmad in favour of PTI’s PP-147 candidate Shoaib Siddiqui.

The announcement came after PTI delegation led by Chaudhry Sarwar made two attempts to gather PAT’s support.

PAT officially declares support to PTI in NA122; @ChMSarwar acknowledges the support & PAT's struggle for rights of the masses!

— PTI Punjab (@PTIPunjabPK) October 6, 2015

In a joint press conference held at the PAT’s secretariat, Sarwar thanked PAT’s leadership for its support adding that Dr Tahirul Qadri was an old friend.

He said PAT and PTI had supported one another in sit-in protests held last year as well.

Read: By-polls: JI announces support for PTI in NA-122, PP-147 Lahore

Polling for NA-122 is due on October 11 and the PTI has fielded former provincial minister Abdul Aleem Khan against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Ayaz Sadiq.

The coveted NA-122, Lahore seat fell vacant after an election tribunal, in its verdict on August 22, found irregularities in the 2013 general elections, ultimately causing Sadiq, the former National Assembly speaker, to step down.

The two parties have also announced a joint four-point declaration named the ‘Model Town Declaration’ in which the parties have agreed to not only push for justice for the victims of the Model Town incident but also forge political alliances in any upcoming election.

The declaration’s points include fighting for justice for the victims of the Model Town incident and formation of a six member committee to formulate a comprehensive mechanism to work for seat adjustment in the next elections.