Ejaz likely to back Sarwar for PTI Punjab chief
Former governor is in the run against Shafqat Mahmood
PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry addressing a press conference. PHOTO: TWITTER
LAHORE:
A few days into the announcement of provincial presidential candidates for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), some of the leaders believed to be part of Shah Mahmood Qureshi-backed Nazriati Group are expected this week to throw their weight behind Chaudhry Sarwar who has the support of Jehangir Tareen.
Two candidates for Punjab president are in the field for polls scheduled in April before the party’s 20th Foundation Day. Nazriati (Ideological) Group has fielded MNA Shafqat Mahmood, the former Lahore chapter organiser. Tareen’s Unity Group is supporting former governor and provincial organiser Sarwar.
Party sources claim that some major leaders, including former provincial president Ejaz Chaudhry, will announce their support for Sarwar.
The sources say that when Tareen was in the city last week to seek consensus over the presidential candidate, attempts were also made to reach out to Chaudhry.
Tareen told a press conference on Friday the party had reached out to several leaders, including Chaudhry and Rai Azizullah.
After nominating Mahmood its Punjab candidate on Friday, the Nazriati Group nominated Rai Azizullah as its campaign leader. Unity Group on the same day announced that Azizullah was among many leaders they had reached out to for consultations regarding the elections.
Sarwar said he hoped that Raiz Azizullah would join them. As of Friday, Mahmood’s social media campaign identified Azizullah as the campaign in-charge.
Ejaz Chaudhry, who had earlier indicated he would be running, has withdrawn from the race saying that he might seek an office in the central organisation.
However, Nazriati Group’s review committee, chaired by Hamid Khan, included Chaudhry.
“I don’t want to be associated with any group. We are a democratic party… intra-party elections are part of a democratic process,” Ejaz Chaudhry told The Express Tribune.
He confirmed that he had been approached by “friends” in the party for his support. “Consultations with various candidates, all my friends, will continue until all nominations are finalised,” Chaudhry said.
He admitted that a consensus was being reached in his camp to extend support to one of the presidential candidates. So far, he said, most people appeared inclined towards Sarwar.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2016.
A few days into the announcement of provincial presidential candidates for the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), some of the leaders believed to be part of Shah Mahmood Qureshi-backed Nazriati Group are expected this week to throw their weight behind Chaudhry Sarwar who has the support of Jehangir Tareen.
Two candidates for Punjab president are in the field for polls scheduled in April before the party’s 20th Foundation Day. Nazriati (Ideological) Group has fielded MNA Shafqat Mahmood, the former Lahore chapter organiser. Tareen’s Unity Group is supporting former governor and provincial organiser Sarwar.
Party sources claim that some major leaders, including former provincial president Ejaz Chaudhry, will announce their support for Sarwar.
The sources say that when Tareen was in the city last week to seek consensus over the presidential candidate, attempts were also made to reach out to Chaudhry.
Tareen told a press conference on Friday the party had reached out to several leaders, including Chaudhry and Rai Azizullah.
After nominating Mahmood its Punjab candidate on Friday, the Nazriati Group nominated Rai Azizullah as its campaign leader. Unity Group on the same day announced that Azizullah was among many leaders they had reached out to for consultations regarding the elections.
Sarwar said he hoped that Raiz Azizullah would join them. As of Friday, Mahmood’s social media campaign identified Azizullah as the campaign in-charge.
Ejaz Chaudhry, who had earlier indicated he would be running, has withdrawn from the race saying that he might seek an office in the central organisation.
However, Nazriati Group’s review committee, chaired by Hamid Khan, included Chaudhry.
“I don’t want to be associated with any group. We are a democratic party… intra-party elections are part of a democratic process,” Ejaz Chaudhry told The Express Tribune.
He confirmed that he had been approached by “friends” in the party for his support. “Consultations with various candidates, all my friends, will continue until all nominations are finalised,” Chaudhry said.
He admitted that a consensus was being reached in his camp to extend support to one of the presidential candidates. So far, he said, most people appeared inclined towards Sarwar.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2016.