PPP yet to name candidates for by-polls

LAHORE:The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has yet to issue tickets to its candidates for the upcoming September 18 by-elections in Punjab, leaving nominees in NA-129 Lahore, NA-66 Wazirabad, and PP-87 Mianwali uncertain about launching their campaigns.

In contrast, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has already finalised and issued tickets to its candidates from these constituencies.

Party insiders disclosed that PPP is considering withdrawing its contenders in favour of its coalition partner, the PML-N, a key reason why tickets have not been released so far.

The Election Commission of Pakistan has scheduled by-polls for four National Assembly and two Punjab Assembly constituencies, including Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan. However, despite the notification, PPP Parliamentarians — the wing authorised to issue tickets — has not announced its nominees for three key Punjab constituencies.

PPP’s Parliamentary Board, responsible for finalising ticket decisions, has already convened one meeting. According to Secretary General PPP Parliamentarians Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, the final decision will be made before August 25, the deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers.

“Our parliamentary board has met once, and we expect a final decision by August 25,” Bukhari told Jang, adding that the delay was linked to ongoing discussions within the party. Meanwhile, PPP Secretary Information Nadeem Afzal Chan admitted that the uncertainty has caused confusion among aspirants. “Some of our candidates were not even sure whether these elections would take place,” he said. On the possibility of withdrawing candidates against the PML-N, Chan clarified: “The party has not yet taken any final decision in this regard.”

The indecision has left several PPP hopefuls reluctant to initiate their election campaigns, fearing their efforts may go in vain should the party eventually choose to support its coalition partner’s nominees.