ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples’ Party made it clear to Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) that it will not contest by-elections on vacant National Assembly (NA) seats only if Awami National Party (ANP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) boycott upcoming polls.

According to details, PPP has set condition for not contesting by-elections on vacant National Assembly seats, demanding that it will not contesting upcoming polls only if Awami National Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan also boycott it.

Sources told PPP demanded coalition parties should jointly announce boycott of by-polls as it refuses to leave field empty for ANP and MQM-P. PPP leadership was divided on boycotting polls as majority of party members were against ANP and MQM contesting elections. “PDM would suffer political damage if both parties contest polls,” sources said while quoting PPP.

A day earlier, it was reported that Pakistan Peoples’ Party decided against contesting upcoming by-elections on National Assembly, accepting proposal tabled by Pakistan Democratic Movement.

Decision to boycott upcoming by-elections was taken during PPP’s parliamentary board meeting, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

However, sources claimed meeting decided in principle to boycott by-polls and let Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf fight against no one. Candidates who were nominated to contest polls were taken into confidence.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 16 2023

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