PML-N resolves to ensure timely polls

Nawaz, Shehbaz jointly preside central board meeting over tickets allotment

LAHORE/ KARACHI: The Central Parliamentary Board of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) passed a resolution, vowing to thwart “all attempts at delaying the upcoming general elections” during a meeting at the party’s secretariat in Lahore on Saturday.

The meeting which was jointly presided over by party President Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq and party Quaid Nawaz Sharif was to finalise mechanism for allotment of tickets to candidates for national and provincial assemblies.

Party chief Shehbaz, while addressing the participants of the meeting, said that the PML-N stood united under the leadership of Sharif and was fully prepared for general elections and any attempt to postpone them would be thwarted. Likewise, the parliamentary board passed a resolution to counter any plan or conspiracy for delaying the election.

“All recent survey reports are indicating that pre-poll rigging was being done to damage the PML-N,” said former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb while speaking to the media. She said the party would not allow any delay in the elections and stood united under its leadership.

However, she avoided answering a question regarding the status of Chaudhary Nisar and instead took jibes at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), calling it a ‘joker party’.



“The PTI has made a mockery of itself in the two days since the party cannot even decide its own candidates for caretaker CM in Punjab and K-P,” said Aurangzeb wondering how they could run the whole country if given power.

According to former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah, other than passing resolution and finalising the mechanism for allotment of tickets, the party also made Aurangzeb its spokesperson.

Meanwhile, addressing the recent controversy over allegedly chairing a meeting of PML-N’s provincial board, Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair told Express News that he was neither a part of the election board nor was he taking part in any election activities of the party. His stance was also maintained by Senator Mushahidullah Khan who said that Zubair only met party leaders and had nothing to do with election matters.

Earlier, several questions were raised in political circles about Zubair’s alleged involvement in party matters which was being termed a severe violation of the ECP’s regulations as a governor is required to maintain impartiality.

However, the meeting to review applications for party tickets was chaired by president of the board Syed Muhammad Shah and was attended by Mushahidullah, Governor Zubair and Miftah Ismail among others. The board reviewed all applications and shortlisted candidates for provincial tickets while the final list will be announced after consultation with party chief Shehbaz.