KARACHI: The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has decided that Shehbaz Sharif will not participate in the elections from Karachi.
Initial reports indicated that Mustafa Kamal, the leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan, would withdraw his candidacy from NA-242 to make Shehbaz enter the electoral race.
The returning officer had approved Shehbaz’s candidacy for NA-242 just four days prior.
Challenges to Shehbaz’s nomination papers were raised by Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Masood Khan Mandokhail, citing the undeclared salary received during his tenure as prime minister.
In November, a delegation from MQM, including Kamal met with Nawaz Sharif in Lahore, announcing a joint participation in the elections. However, it later surfaced that the specifics of a seat adjustment formula had not been finalized.
Five Opposition Parties In Sindh Agree On Seat Adjustments For Upcoming Elections
Earlier, five political parties reached a consensus on seat adjustments for national and provincial assembly seats in Sindh. According to sources, Bashir Memon of PML-N is set to contest against PPP’s Makhdoom Jameel-uz-Zaman from NA-216 (Matiari), while Asghar Shah from PML-N will contest from NA-205 (Naushehro Feroze-I).
JUI’s Allama Rashid Soomro is poised to challenge Bilawal Bhutto in the National Assembly constituency from Larkana. JUI candidates will also participate in the elections for PS-18 in Ghotki district and seats in Kashmore and Shikarpur. PML-N candidates, on the other hand, are slated to contest from PS-5 and PS-6 in Kashmore and PS-9 in Shikarpur.
Sources indicate that allied parties are likely to support PML-N candidates in Karachi’s NA-229, NA-230, and NA-231. Irfanullah Marwat of GDA is expected to receive support from all allied parties at PS-105.
In Lyari’s NA-239 constituency, a joint candidate, potentially former MNA Abdul Shakoor Shad, is being considered from the coalition to challenge PPP’s Nabeel Gabol. The PML-N is eyeing Awais Noorani for the NA-232 ticket, with Tanveer Jadoon likely to be the joint candidate from PS-107.
ANP is set to contest a provincial seat from Karachi with the support of other coalition parties. The coalition is also contemplating backing Nasir Mehmood of JUI from Lyari’s PS-106. Another JUI candidate may be fielded from PS-111 and PS-114 in Keamari district.
In Mirpur Khas’s NA-211 constituency, a PML-N candidate may contest with the support of other allied parties. Additionally, JUI and PML-N candidates are expected to be nominated for most seats in Shikarpur, Kashmore, and Jacobabad districts.
