Candidates rejected by mainstream seek tickets from fringe parties

Disgruntled leaders find new platforms to contest upcoming elections

LAHORE: Candidates who have failed to acquire tickets from mainstream political parties have now turned to fringe parties including Allahu Akbar Tehreek (AAT) and the Milli Muslim League (MML) to contest the upcoming elections.

An independent candidate Hafiz Muhammad Adnan from PP-60, Gujranwala and Chaudhary Zabiullah Balagan from NA-80 decided to contest the elections from AAT's platform. AAT has issued tickets to both of the independent candidates. The party will announce the final list of the candidates on June 29.

An election secretariat has also been set up in Lahore to run the election campaign. Haris Dar has been shortlisted as its caretaker.



MML Deputy President Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi will contest the election against Imran Khan and Farooq Sattar. MML candidates have also begun the election campaign in the constituencies. Offices at Union Council (UC) level are being opened. MML President Saifullah Khalid intends to run an election campaign across the country.

On June 25, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) awarded 200 tickets to candidates in Balochistan contesting for the National Assembly and the provincial assembly seats. BAP President Jam Kamal said, “Many political leaders in Balochistan wanted to contest general elections on BAP’s ticket due to its growing popularity, but we issued tickets to only those candidates who have public support and influence.”

On June 14, senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members from complained of being sidelined and new members being preferred over them.