After review: PTI picks out candidates, to publish names on website
Party official says selection was made on merit and after proper vetting.
Imran Khan during the launch of his party's manifesto. PHOTO: INP
LAHORE:
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has finalised its candidates for all National and provincial assembly constituencies, and the list of candidates will be published on the party’s website within a couple of days, The Express Tribune has learnt.
“The PTI is fielding candidates for each National and provincial assembly constituency as seats-adjustments with any party could not materialise,” said the party’s general secretary Pervaiz Khattak. He ruled out electoral alliance with any party, saying that the PTI has strong candidates in each constituency.
“PTI’s Central Parliamentary Board vetted all candidates three to four times before picking out the most suitable ones,” Khattak said. He added that long discussions were held in order to rule out favouritism and cronyism. “Now, there will be no change in candidates,” he said.
PTI’s top leadership intends to tour all constituencies to mobilise and motivate voters in favour of their candidates. The party has also set up a ‘Naya Pakistan Fund’ to collect funds for the election campaigns of its young candidates, Khattak said.
“The PTI believes in change and will contest the elections on the basis of its ideology,” he added. “Over 25 per cent of tickets have been awarded to the youth.”
Regarding the complaints of ignored candidates in award of tickets, Khattak said all complaints were reviewed by the board and after a process of serious debate, only the most suitable candidates were picked according to the party’s policy. “Review petitions were in their hundreds but the decision was taken on merit,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2013.
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has finalised its candidates for all National and provincial assembly constituencies, and the list of candidates will be published on the party’s website within a couple of days, The Express Tribune has learnt.
“The PTI is fielding candidates for each National and provincial assembly constituency as seats-adjustments with any party could not materialise,” said the party’s general secretary Pervaiz Khattak. He ruled out electoral alliance with any party, saying that the PTI has strong candidates in each constituency.
“PTI’s Central Parliamentary Board vetted all candidates three to four times before picking out the most suitable ones,” Khattak said. He added that long discussions were held in order to rule out favouritism and cronyism. “Now, there will be no change in candidates,” he said.
PTI’s top leadership intends to tour all constituencies to mobilise and motivate voters in favour of their candidates. The party has also set up a ‘Naya Pakistan Fund’ to collect funds for the election campaigns of its young candidates, Khattak said.
“The PTI believes in change and will contest the elections on the basis of its ideology,” he added. “Over 25 per cent of tickets have been awarded to the youth.”
Regarding the complaints of ignored candidates in award of tickets, Khattak said all complaints were reviewed by the board and after a process of serious debate, only the most suitable candidates were picked according to the party’s policy. “Review petitions were in their hundreds but the decision was taken on merit,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2013.