PPP eyes PTI voters in Punjab by-elections
The PPP will adopt a sympathetic approach towards the PTI in speeches delivered in constituencies where Imran's party will not field candidates in the upcoming by-elections.
However, in areas where PTI candidates will contest elections, Bilawal's party will keep both the PTI and the PML-N in the cross hairs, a PPP office bearer revealed to The Express Tribune.
He said the PPP has little to offer in these by-elections, so reaching to the PTI voters, especially in areas where the party's own candidates are not in the field, is a good option.
"The party will rip apart of the false narrative of service delivery in Punjab by the PML-N led government to expose its true face, but understandably this will not help win party many hearts
"After all, the public perception that the PPP is part and parcel of the government is there. Given that, tapping into the PTI voter base will help the party win some support and improve its number," he added.
He said the PPP is not in this race to win, but to stay alive and relevant in Punjab politics. A few thousand votes for every seat they contest would be a reasonable score to work with in general elections.
The party leader said despite assurance, the PPP is not sure if PTI candidates would stand down or not.
PTI provincial chapter has clarified that barring NA-129, no PTI candidate would contest elections in seats vacated due to disqualification of its lawmakers. The reason cited for NA-129 is that it stood vacant due to the demise of PTI MNA Mian Azhar and hence this rule did not apply there.
Mian Azhar's son Hammad Azhara PTI leader and former federal ministerwill be contesting from the constituency with support of the party.
PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza during a press conference on Wednesday said the coalition in federal government and Punjab is facing multiple challenges, while the PPP has suffered significant losses due to its policy of reconciliation.
However, he emphasized that the party prioritized national stability and endured these setbacks for the sake of the country. He was addressing a press conference on the current political situation, electoral preparations, and government policies.
Murtaza announced that the PPP will contest elections in two National Assembly constituencies of Central Punjab and one provincial constituency of Mianwali. He said due to increasing public support, four candidates from NA-129 and two from NA-66 have already submitted their nomination papers.
He also highlighted that from NA-129 two female candidatesTahira Habib Jalib and Advocate Farhat Noorhave submitted their nomination papers.
He said preparations for by-elections are complete, and the party will run its campaign using its own resources. Once tickets are issued by the parliamentary board, nominated candidates will begin their campaigns. Notifications for legal, media, electoral, and liaison committees are also being issued.
Murtaza stated that ideological differences and a lack of communication have further complicated the political landscape. Murtaza urged the government to "stop speaking half-truths."
He said instead of targeting entire institutions, action should be taken only against corrupt bureaucrats, as labeling the entire civil service as corrupt is unjust.
He appealed to PPP workers to set aside personal differences and unite for the by-elections. Criticizing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), he called it controversial.
He argued that counting the third-positioned candidate in Form 47 is illogical, while highlighting PPP's improved performance in the Sambrial by-election compared to previous contests.
"Ideologies may weaken but cannot be erased," Murtaza asserted, reaffirming the PPP's commitment to issue-based politics. He stressed dialogue over violence, stating that while people have the right to preferences, he does not have the luxury of choosing his political stance.
Murtaza accused those who exploit farmers of labeling the PPP as a "mafia." With the by-elections approaching, he vowed that the PPP would actively mobilize on the streets.
PPP candidate Asif Mahmood Nagra has submitted papers from NA-129 Lahore, Dr Nadia, Ijaz Samma and Tahir Iqbal Cheema from NA-66 Wazirabad, while Zubair Hamza and Muhammad Ayaz Khan submitted their nomination papers from PP-87.
According to party sources, despite Nagra being a strong front runner, Tahira Habib Jalib, daughter of poet Habib Jalib, is expected to get a party ticket.
The PML-N on the other hand has sought the opinion from divisional presidents in Punjab to suggest most suitable candidates for seats that are up for grabs.
PML-N Provincial President Rana Sanaullah has instructed the division presidents to recommend suitable names for party candidates after consultation with party divisional organization
On the seat that became vacant due to the demise of veteran politician Mian Azhar, PML-N's Mian Nouman, Rana Mashud and Chaudary Bakar Hussain have filed their nomination papers.
Meanwhile, the PTI has decided to boycott the by-elections scheduled to be held for the National Assembly and Punjab Assembly seats that fell vacant after its lawmakers were de-seated over convictions in the May 9 rioting cases.
According to sources in the opposition party, the party founder, Imran Khan, has instructed party leaders to withdraw their nomination papers at the constituencies.
PTI candidates had submitted nomination papers for the NA-66 and PA-87 seats that had fallen vacant after convictions and disqualification of two PTI lawmakers including Punjab Assembly former opposition leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar.
The party will, however, take part in the by-election to be held at Na-129 constituency vacated after the demise of PTI leader Mian Azhar. According to the ECP, a total of 27 candidates have submitted their nomination papers in NA-129.
According to the returning officer, the scrutiny of nomination papers will begin on August 8today. The by-election in NA-129 Lahore will be held on September 18.