PTI, BNP-M delegations meet in Islamabad to discuss possible alliance

Mengal is scheduled to meet Imran Khan at Bani Gala later today

QUETTA/ ISLAMABAD: A delegation of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf met with the chief of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) as the two parties continued discussions for a possible alliance at the national and provincial level.

PTI's delegation, led by the party's Balochistan chief Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind and Naeemul Haque, exchanged views on the current political situation in the country with BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal at the Balochistan House on Thursday.

The two parties have agreed on continuing the dialogue and Rind also conveyed a message from PTI's chairman Imran Khan.

Mengal, who arrived in the federal capital late Wednesday night, is scheduled to meet PTI chairperson Imran Khan at Bani Gala later on Thursday to discuss issues regarding the formation of federal and provincial governments.

Speaking to the media post-meeting, Mengal said his party was pushing for issues plaguing Balochistan to be addressed. "We cannot moved forward without finding solutions for the core issues. No government has paid heed before."



The BNP-M chief is also expected to meet leaders from different political parties including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Khursheed Shah, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Islamabad during his visit.

Mengal is accompanied by Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani, Advocate Sajid Tareen and other members of the party’s committee.

Thus far, the BNP-M chief has maintained that his party's mandate was stolen. In a press conference on July 31, Mengal likened the July 25 polls to the general elections of 1970 and demanded a commission to investigate the polls.



“The election results were delayed for 72 hours – it has never happened before despite previous election commissions lacking resources. Such delaying tactics create doubts over the transparency of the electoral process,” he said. “Our mandate was stolen from at least 12 constituencies. The ECP has failed in its duty to guide the voters.”

The former Balochistan chief minister claimed that the results were a deliberate effort to prevent BNP from forming a government in the province.

Three independents join PTI

Meanwhile, at least three independent candidates joined PTI on Thursday.

Another independent candidate joins PTI. PHOTO: EXPRESS

MPA-elect Malik Ghulam Rasool Sangha from PP-83 (Khushab II), Mohsin Ata Khoso from PP-208 (Khanewal VI) and MNA-elect NA-190 (Dera Ghazi Khan II) Mohammad Amjad Faruq separately called on the PTI chief at his Bani Gala residence.

Independent candidates at Bani Gala. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Also present at the meetings were senior leaders Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jahangir Tareen.

Three independent candidates join PTI. PHOTO: EXPRESS