Candidate pulled out: PML-N backs PPP in Mirpur contest

The move comes just one day before polling was set to begin for by-election scheduled to be held on Mar 29

MUZAFFARABAD:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday decided to withdraw its candidate, Arshid Ghazi, in favour of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Mirpur. The move comes just one day before the polling was set to begin for by-election scheduled to be held on March 29.

The withdrawal of the PML-N candidate may deal a debilitating blow to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) AJK chief Barrister Sultan Mehmood in the poll battle.

Addressing a press conference in Mirpur, PML-N Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) head Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that the decision was made in the larger interest of the people of Mirpur.

Haider, who is leader of the opposition in AJK Assembly, said that the PPP will support Arshid Ghazi in upcoming Kashmir Council elections. “The PML-N leadership has campaigned day and night to motivate the voters in favour of PML-N, however, PM Nawaz Sharif’s decision was final to support the ruling party candidate Chaudhry Ashraf,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2015.