The seat had fallen vacant after the resignation of disgruntled PTI leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi.
The announcement was made in a press conference by vice chairperson Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Qureshi, while speaking to Express News, hinted of a possible collusion between Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and Hashmi who had earlier announced that he will contest elections as an independent candidate.
“There is no official nomination by PML-N yet; the party should nominate someone and if the ballot paper doesn’t have the party symbol then we can assume that back-door negotiations have been taking place,” Qureshi claimed.
On Hashmi’s insistence that he is still the president of the party, Qureshi said he should get on the container with other PTI leaders and ask the workers whether they recognise him as their president or not.
The by-polls in constituency are scheduled for October 16.
COMMENTS (20)
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@Aschraful Makhlooq: Now eat your words.
PTI's default position is "Boycott". It is ruled by a dictator who hates democracy and elections. He will contest only on one condition and that he would given top slot in government.
To contest under the same system that you claim is corrupt and skewered would be wrong in principle..........so its a logical decision by PTI.
This is logical and sensible decision since PTI has already rendered resignation and is not making any sense to contest election on this NA seat.
Well done PTI Critics be sensible....
Hehehe... Imran Khan knows that PTI will lose the seat if it recontested elections. Boycott Khan in his best form !!
@Usman: Dysfunctional ECP? PTI just won a seat in KPK a few weeks back under the same ECP....
Come on find a truely good candidate and give it a go. Find someone who has character and education. Leave political families, I know he will not win but still PTI give it a go. Winner is not always who holds the trophy.
Grapes are sour
Javed Hashmi has clearly conscience and that is why he was part of the campaign against democracy in 1977 and was party to the judicial murder of Bhutto. He played to the tunes of Zia at that time and was fully rewarded with a ministry under Zia regime. Joins the baby of Zia aka Nawaz Sharif and when he was not given the leader of the opposition seat, he became disgruntled with the party and join PTI where he was offered President post. Expecting PTI to win elections to become President of Pakistan....was disgruntled when the party didn't make it through the rigged elections.
Now that he saw that Army is also not coming to the rescue of the party few weeks after dharna...the guy repeats his history and again get into the open and put the label "Available for next big opportunity" to the highest bidder in the political arena.
I really think IK need to learn to build on his skill of recognizing the opportunities from the real factors of change. That is why history is such an important subject as it gives you a much important perspective on the individual and collective psychologies and behaviors of people and countries.
Good. This election system is flawed and corrupt. Only those who have full faith in the status quo would fight in these rigged elections now that so much evidence has been brought out. BTW I love how noonies who were cursing him out for the past 3 years are all of a sudden praising him :). It's good that these traitors have left PTI's rank BEFORE PTI comes to power IA or they could've done some serious damage.
I can not believe the amount of venom coming from supporters of PTI towards Javed Hashmi. The man clearly has a conscious and stood by in what he believed and had the courage to take a stand. In a place like Pakistan where political parties are nothing more than personal properties of the leaders - one can only be accepted in a party if they are a yes-man, blind follower or a parrot with no courage of conviction.
This seat is not a piece of cake for JH if PTI contest election on this seat.
Haha. PTI couldn't find a viable candidate for the seat and were afraid of the embarrassment.
So PTI has no confidence in their popularity ? A wise decision as it would have definilty revealed that PTI like other parties also won seats by courting winning candidates like Hasmi before . They are no differrent. Also it will show that IK has actually lost substanatial support as people saw first hand what kind of leader IK has proven to be. Selfish , greedy , reckless and conspirator . How I could have voted for him in 2013 and I did . Never again .
How PTI can contest in by-polls in NA 149 whereas PTI's MNAs have submitted their resignations to Speaker NA and suppose if PTI contests in NA 149 then what does PTI reply when people ask PTI that when PTI's MNAs have submitted their resignation in NA why are you contesting now?????
It is an open secret that Hashmi would win his seat back no matter if he is in PTI or not. He is much more popular than SMQ who has done his politics only as lota,, pir and feudal lord. In fact it was a great chance for all parties to show their popularity but the cowards don't believe in democracy and only dream the throne via establishment and backdoor.
now what will the enemies of the captain say? again they have nothing
@Usman: Don't afraid become tiger and contest
Good decision. Let Hashmi face whatever consequence he wants by contesting under the current, dysfunctional ECP regime.