Bahawalpur contest: Nawab eyes bagging maximum seats

Says more seats will support Imran; PTI man withdraws from NA-185.

BAHAWALPUR: Former Nawab of Bahawalpur  state Salahuddin Abbasi said on Sunday that his party will try to win as many seats as possible to support Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).

“We have made an alliance with Imran Khan and will try our best to win more and more seats to support him.”

While talking to reporters, the chief of Bahawalpur National Awami Party, Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi, explained that he decided against running in the upcoming elections due to domestic problems and has no desire to become next prime minister.

Present at the briefing, PTI candidate Dr Manzoor Malik formally announced his withdrawal from the race in favour of National Awami Party candidate Farooq Azam Malik.

Earlier Dr Manzoor Malik was given ticket for NA-185 by PTI, however, on cancellation of the ticket he had announced to contest polls as an independent candidate.

“I withdraw from the elections accepting the decision made by Imran Khan and Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi for seat adjustment,” said Dr Manzoor Malik, adding that he entered politics to save Pakistan under the leadership of Imran Khan. Talking about restoration of Bahawalpur province, he said that he supports the campaign and will work along with Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi for the cause.

The Bahawalpur National Awami Party candidate for NA-185 Muhammad Farooq Azam Malik thanked the PTI leader for withdrawing his candidature, saying the seat adjustment with PTI in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan is to bring change and that both parties will restore the Bahawalpur province together.

He added that the affiliation between Imran Khan and Nawab of Bahawalpur is not on political basis.

In answer to a question, Nawab Abbasi said that ticket for NA-183 has been given to Samiul Hassan Gillani.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2013.