Imran contacts JI chief for support in NA-246

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan formally contacted Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq via telephone on Monday, asking him to support PTI candidate Imran Ismail in the upcoming by-elections in Karachi's NA-246 constituency.

The PTI and JI formed a coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government following the 2013 general elections.

But both parties have fielded their candidates for the upcoming by-polls in Karachi's NA-246 constituency, said to be a stronghold of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Also read: PTI announces 'massive rally' in NA-246 on April 14

According to sources in the PTI, JI chief Sirajul Haq responded by saying that he would mull over Imran's request after arriving in Islamabad today.

A meeting between the leaders of the two parties is expected to take place today in the federal capital.

Siraj was in Karachi to campaign for the NA-246 by-election with a rally at Aisha Manzil area on Sunday.

The seat was vacated when former MNA Nabeel Gabol resigned from the MQM earlier this year. By-polls are scheduled to take place on the vacant National Assembly seat on April 23.

Related: April 23 will be doomsday for hooliganism in Karachi: Siraj