Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has decided not to contest the upcoming by-elections on the National Assembly (NA) seats, accepting the proposal tabled by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), local media reported on Tuesday.
According to media reports, the decision to boycott the upcoming by-elections was taken during PPP’s parliamentary board meeting, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The meeting was attended by PPP leaders, including former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Makhdoom Ahmed Mehmood, Nair Bukhari, Farhatullah Babar, Faryal Talpur, and candidates of the by-elections.
Local media reported that participants of the meeting were divided over the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) proposal. During the meeting, the Pakistan People’s Party senior leaders opined against contesting the elections.
PPP decides to let PTI contest against no one
However, media reports claimed the meeting decided in principle to boycott the upcoming by-polls and let the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) fight against no one. The candidates who were nominated to contest the by-elections were taken into confidence.
It is pertinent to mention here that by-elections on 33 NA seats will be held on March 16.
Earlier, it was reported on February 10 that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had urged the coalition parties not to contest by-elections due to fear of defeat.
