Days ahead of by-elections in three constituencies of Sindh, the Pakistan Muslims League-Functional (PML-F) announced its support for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) allied with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
In the wake of these developments, the PML-F will not field its candidate against the PTI in the by-poll for PS-88 in Malir, and the PML-N will not be contesting against the PPP in all three of the constituencies.
Addressing a press conference, PML-F Sindh general secretary Sardar Abdul Raheem said his party and the PTI had agreed for the latter's Jansher Junejo to contest the by-election in PS-88 constituency.
"He will be our mutual candidate in Malir by-polls," said Raheem, adding that the PPP, which had ruined Sindh, didn't deserve another chance in the constituency.
Also speaking on the occasion, PTI parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh assured the reservations of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA)- an ally of the PTI in the Centre and of which the PML-F is a part- will be addressed.
"We have taken up the matter with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail," said Sheikh.
Meanwhile, the PML-N announced to back the PPP's candidates in all three by-polls to be held in Sindh's PS-88, PS-52 and PS-43 constituencies.
Addressing a press conference, PPP leader Nisar Khuhro thanked the parties constituting the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an 11-party opposition alliance that also includes the PML-N, for supporting his party's candidate, Yousuf Baloch, in Malir by-polls.
He went on to say that the PTI's alliances in Sindh wouldn't affect the PPP.
PML-N Sindh chapter president Shah Muhammad Shah said PPP candidates in the by-polls represented the PDM.
"We will support the PPP's candidates across Sindh," he remarked. "We will vote for them [in the by-polls] and will also provide help for managing polling stations."
He said his party had decided to support the candidates of all parties part of the PDM.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2021.
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