Kirmani withdraws from Senate polls

ISLAMABAD: Political Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Asif Saeed Kirmani has withdrawn from the contest for Senate membership on technical grounds who was designated as candidate by the ruling PML-N from Punjab.
In a statement, he said that he was indebted to PM Nawaz Sharif, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif for nominating him as candidate for the Senate from Punjab. “As I have consulted my legal advisors who are of the view that being the Political Secretary to the PM I shouldn’t contest the polls since the relevant laws bar it.”
In the light of the advice, Dr Asif Kirmani who was among top five in preference of candidates has decided not to file his nomination papers. The leadership of the PML-N has accepted the submission made by Dr Kirmani and it is likely that a candidate from South Punjab would be enlisted as nominee today (Friday).
Tabish Alwari, a former parliamentarian from Bahawalpur who had been representing the area in Punjab Assembly, has been tipped as replacement, the sources close to the PML-N indicated here Thursday. The sources said that the PML-N leadership has appreciated gesture of Dr Kirmani and he will continue to serve the party in elevated capacity.