Read to vote: PTI, JI join forces to contest NA-246 by-polls

Leaders from both the parties confirmed that they have formed an alliance

Leaders from both the parties confirmed that they have formed an alliance. STOCK IMAGE

KARACHI:


As election day draws nearer in NA-246, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) have decided to join forces to contest the by-polls.


While leaders from both the parties confirmed that they have formed an alliance, they insisted that their candidates will not withdraw from the polls, scheduled to take place on April 23.


"JI has been contesting elections on this seat for years," said party spokesperson Zahid Askari. "We will not withdraw our candidate but if PTI announces to withdraw its candidate, we will welcome their decision."

He added that the two parties had a good working relationship and also had an alliance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"We will never withdraw from contesting this seat," PTI Karachi chapter president Ali Zaidi told The Express Tribune. "This is not an option for us, even though we have a good relationship with the JI."

Speaking about the meetings between the two parties, Zaidi said that contact was made between JI ameer Sirajul Haq and PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Arif Alvi.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2015.