Politicos dive into action after election schedule

The political heat in the country picked up steam further after the ECP announced the election schedule with major political parties readying to plunge into the fray and designating ground zero for the poll campaign.

The electoral battles began to take shape as bigwigs of parties spent a busy Saturday, highlighting their priorities after coming to power, convening 'emergency sessions', naming candidates for crucial seats and hammering out seat adjustment formula.

Meanwhile, politicians in many cities of K-P were seen consumed by campaign fever, ploughing everything into convincing the electorate before the polls through posters and banners.
Spurred by increased demand, the advertisers and printing press business have also cash in on the surging political temperature.

Extolling the Supreme Court’s decision to remove all lingering ambiguities plaguing the electoral process on Friday by suspending the LHC’s decision, the PPP unveiled plans for Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's election campaign, set to commence on December 27, coinciding with the commemoration of former premier Benazir Bhutto.

The mass gathering will be held in the Bhutto family’s ancestral village, Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.

The PPP declared its intention to depart from traditional political approaches, embracing a new direction as it gears up for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, 2024, under a "no hate" motto.

In a press briefing following an important hybrid meeting at Bilawal House Karachi, senior party leaders including Senator Sherry Rehman, Sharjeel Memon, Shazia Atta Marri, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Mukesh Kumar Chawla shared the party’s plans.

During the press briefing, Sherry Rehman said that the meeting extensively discussed the prevailing political situation and lauded Bilawal for his impactful efforts in advocating for timely general elections through a recent successful public engagement campaign.

She said that the former foreign minister would visit all four provinces during his election campaign and mobilise the people.

PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri said that PPP remains the only political party that has conducted a significant organisational meeting to assess the scenario following the announcement of the election schedule announcement and devise a comprehensive strategy for the future.

Read PML-N, PPP blast PTI's 'suicide attack' on polls

“This meeting, spearheaded by the leadership, underscores the party’s earnest dedication towards the upcoming elections,” she added.

“PPP is a democratic party, placing utmost faith in the electoral process,” Marri said, adding that it is the only party in “election mood”.

Party’s senior leader Sharjeel Memon said that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's stance is crystal clear, asserting “Our campaign will be driven by positivity, not negativity. It's time to move beyond the old politics of revenge”.

“While certain parties persist in seeking court interventions to delay the elections, the actions of some parties indicate they are running from the electoral process,” he said, apparently taking a dig at PTI and PML-N.

PMLN, JUI-F seat adjustment

Meanwhile, a second round of discussions took place between PML-N and JUI-F Punjab in Lahore’s Model Town regarding seat adjustments.

Sources revealed that the meeting primarily delved into election strategies and seat allocation. Both parties decided to take their central parties into confidence and move forward.

An agreement has been reached to persist with negotiations concerning pertinent political matters. "JUI-F and PML-N are likely to finalise formula for seat adjustment soon," sources indicated.

Level playing field

Praising the Supreme Court's directive to release the election schedule, former Punjab chief minister and PTI President Parvez Elahi stressed the importance of providing equal opportunities to PTI candidates.

In a discussion with Sardar Abdul Razaq Advocate during a meeting at Adiala Jail, the imprisoned leader said that any plots to delay the elections have been quashed by the apex court's ruling.

Elahi reiterated PTI's stance for timely and fair elections, urging an end to any hindrances in the electoral process.
Separately, setting the stage for the Feb 8 general election, the Awami National Party (ANP) revealed its chosen candidates for four national and nine provincial constituencies.

Notably, Ashraf Dawar, who served briefly as a special assistant to the caretaker chief minister, has been nominated for both the provincial assembly and the national assembly seats.

Meanwhile, in Lahore, an emergency session of Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT) central executive committee convened to address the electoral landscape following the announcement of the election schedule.

Qazi Zahid Hussain from Karachi participated in the Lahore meeting via online means.

The party decided on complete engagement in the upcoming general elections, while making it clear that it would refrain from forming alliances with any other political entity.