Looking for allies: PTI, AML join forces for upcoming polls?
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Awami Muslim League (AML) have agreed to form an alliance for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid Ahmed at former’s residence on Wednesday, sources told The Express Tribune.
According to the agreement, the two parties will not field candidates against each other and will instead support each others’ candidate.
Officially, the PTI quashed the reports of electoral alliance between the two parties. “The meeting between Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid was a routine interaction and it doesn’t mean their parties are forming a political alliance,” the party’s spokesperson Shafqat Mahmoud told The Express Tribune.
He added that his party has not cut any deal with the AML. However, he did not rule out the possibility outright.
In December 2011, Sheikh Rashid had asked the PTI to not field a candidate against him in his home constituency of Rawalpindi, according to sources.
Since 2008, Sheikh Rashid has lost three times against candidates belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
His defeats are often attributed to his defection from the PML-N to the party of former president Pervez Musharraf. A PTI candidate had also contested one of the two by-elections in Rawalpindi, but failed to win against the PML-N candidate.
He hopes that with PTI’s support, he can win back his lost seat.
Sheikh Rashid had formed his party after parting ways with the party of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in June 2008.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS (23)
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good move by imran. Shaikh sahib is a very big polatician. Im not a supporter of pti but i hope both shaikh sahib and imran khan crush the pmln.
Guys I used to be a supporter of PML N but now after they hit false allegations against Shaukat Khanum I have left them and now joined PTI. My father and sister both had cancer in credibility of SKMH me and my family didnt knew but when we had got there beleive me it was like heaven we are not so benefited like others so my father and sisger were treated their for free unfortunatly my sister died but in her last days she was always praying for IMRAN, We were blinded until Khawaja Asif put false allegations on Imran Khan beleive me my father and sister were treated for free and now my vote is only for PTI think abt it what has PML N given to us all our life
Ihave a question to imran khan is shk raseed is not a croupt person ... ik as no plan he is going to spourt pppp and histry remember imran as a anti pakistani leader
Imran Khan is showing he has absolutely NO class, and he belongs with the classless and lowlife politicians like Shiekh Rasheed, aka Sheeda Talli.
I think this is a good decission by PTI. If Abu Safyan can become part of Islam then sheikh rasheed is not that bad at all. However the leader should be a good man like Imran. If there is no Imran i would certainly not vote at all.
Immature politics by Imran due to lust of power. Imran always use un-ethical language about other politicians. Is this ethical politics done by him. Shame for him.
PTI has only motto and that is to help PPP by splitting votes of PML(N). Vary bad role being played by PTI. They are inviting every type of politician in their party to achieve their motto.
IK Look at the history of Sh Raseed, currently he is know as his master voice spoke mans
He will be of harm than any use. Think again
if this news is accurate, then it is a bad decision by PTI. :(
Shiekh Rashid is a time tested and veteran politician having image/repute not very positive to say the least. It is quite discouraging for PTI well wishers that PTI leadership is willing/intending to join hands with such politicians. At present, PTI appears to be embracing the remains of Musharraf regime as well as defecting PPP politicians. Adopting this approach will deprive the party with its image and claim of being a precusor of Change in the country's politics.
Rashid is much better than the likes of Haneef Abasi and Ch. Nisar. Look forward to see Aug 13th Jalsa.
The TTP threat against Imran Khan seems to indicate that they share the common perception that ISI covertly supports PTI. Imran Khan's alliance with Sheikh Rasheed also reinforces this suspicion.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/08/haqs-crystal-ball-look-at-pak-elections.html
I hate Imran's politics.
A really good approach taken by IK to make alliance with Sheikh Rasheed. Sheikh has big vote bank & if PTI joins they will surely win the seat.
This is really stupid... Sheikh Rasheed if wins uncontested by PTI candidate, will ally with the ruling party, what if its not PTI. PTI should never leave any Urban seat uncontested especially in Pindi where the literacy rate is high.
i m voter of NA-55, and not the voter of PML-N, but believe me PML-N is going to to win this seat with clear margin..Sheikh's inclusion in PTI is gonna hurt PTI ..
its not good for PTI .. PMLN will be benefited from this alliance.
Ha ha ha. Imran raises slogans of change. What a change with old rejected people of other parties? Imran has become mad to get power. He is accepting all type of people in his party irrespective of previous political record and character. Imran is a failed politician.
Imran has lost all his credibility. Now I am sure that Khawaja Asif and Ch. Nisar say right about Imran. What type of change Imran will bring in Pakistan by these means? Very sad? I am 100% sure about his corruption in Shoukat Khanum Hospital affairs.
PTI support will serve as a tonic and SR will bring home the bacon
Wrong decision of Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed.
The man has prudence, character, vision and the guts to take Pakistan out of this mess. First he was accused of not having 'political acumen'. Now that he's shown that he does, some other excuse will take its place.
To Imran Khan i'll say: Keep Calm and Carry On
Why people don't believe in what party sources says? see what Shafqat Mahmoud said “The meeting between Imran Khan and Sheikh Rashid was a routine interaction and it doesn’t mean their parties are forming a political alliance,”
I mean please...