By-polls at NA-122: PML-N to launch ad campaign against PTI

Finalises strategy to counter PTI’s October 4 rally

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has finalised its strategy for the by-election at Lahore’s NA-122 constituency where the PML-N stalwart Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will contest against the rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) candidate Aleem Khan on October 11.   

According to top sources in the party, the PML-N believes that the PTI will use its October 4 Islamabad rally – originally planned to protest against the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) four provincial members –  to show its power in a bid to boost its candidate’s campaign for by-election at the Lahore seat.

The sources in PML-N said the party – in order to counter the PTI’s rally – will launch an advertising campaign, which will focus on the PML-N’s achievements, Imran Khan’s contradictory statements, PTI candidate Aleem Khan’s alleged land grabbing and the PTI’s apparent U-turns.

The PML-N has also decided to use the party tickets for the upcoming local government (LG) elections as a means to pave way for the party success at the NA-122 by-polls. PML-N candidate Ayaz Sadiq has been given the authority to award party tickets for the union councils (UCs) falling in the NA-122 constituency.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and MNA Pervez Malik have been made in-charge of the party campaign at the constituency while each UC of the constituency has been assigned to one MNA and two MPAs. The PML-N has also conducted an independent survey, which has declared Sadiq a favourite candidate.

October 11 is also the polling day for by-election at NA-154 constituency in Lodhran, where the PML-N candidate, Saddique Baloch, was not only de-seated but also disqualified for life on account of his fake degrees. The PTI has fielded its central leader Jahangir Tareen for the seat, while the PML-N has not yet announced its candidate.

The party leadership believes that Baloch, who has moved the apex court against the decision of the election tribunal, would succeed in getting a stay order against the by-election. The court has fixed September 29 for the hearing.

Earlier, the party had decided to go for by-elections at the NA-154 but later Baloch convinced the leadership that he should be allowed to move the apex court.  Sources said if Baloch wins a stay order then polling would be stopped on October 11.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2015.