PK-8 by-polls: JI affiliate refuses to withdraw candidate

Vows to write letter to Sirajul Haq to address matter

PESHAWAR: A local organisation in Daudzai, affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami, has refused to withdraw its candidate in favour of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s in by-elections for PK-8, Peshawar-VIII.

“We are not ready to either withdraw our candidate or become supporters of PTI in the by-elections,” a representative told The Express Tribune. “The local organisation has even threatened to quit the party if the leadership forces its candidate, Fazalullah, to withdraw in favour of PTI’s candidate, Shehzad Khan.”

The JI representative said PTI leaders have approached the party’s provincial and central leadership to withdraw their candidate in favour of Shehzad.  “The organisation will write a letter to JI chief Sirajul Haq,” he said. “The organisation had fielded its candidate after obtaining approval from JI’s central and provincial leaders.”

PTI has managed to persuade Qaumi Watan Party to support its candidate.

All Pakistan Muslim League has also thrown its weight behind PTI. However, JI’s reluctance to give in is likely to produce countless problems for the party’s candidate.

So far, there is likely to be stiff competition among candidates from PTI, JUI-F and PPP. Aspirants from JI, ANP and PML-N could also alter the dynamics of the polls.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th,  2016.