Political heat has gripped NA-120 after announcement of schedule for by-polls by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday. As per the schedule, nomination papers can be filed from 10th to 15th of August. It will be followed by scrutiny of papers in between 15th to 17th August and the final list will be published on 26th August. The seat was fallen vacant due to the verdict of Supreme Court against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Polling will take place on September 17, said a notification issued by the Election Commission.
All the major political parties including the PML-N, PTI, PPP and JI have started canvassing for their candidates ahead of the announcement of schedule. The PML-N had fielded Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to contest from the constituency. The PTI has nominated Dr Yasmin Rashid and the PPP has put forward Zubair Kardar for the same seat. The JI has not announced a candidate for the elections and its Punjab leadership is advocating for a joint candidate of opposition against the ruling PML-N.
It may be noted that PTI's candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid had given a tough fight to Nawaz Sharif in May 2013 general elections. She secured 52354 votes against 91683 votes of Nawaz Sharif. Political circles have predicted a close contest, saying that the PTI popularity has doubled to what it was enjoying in 2013 general elections. They also mentioned the fight in by-polls of NA-122 in between Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Aleem Khan and said the PML-N had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
According to them, Imran Khan has gathered mass appeal as the voters have discarded the PPP as a political choice. Andleeb Abbas said Dr Yasmin Rashid has already proved her credentials and the present wave of popularity in favour of PTI would play due role in taking her to the victory stand.
Sources close to Dr Yasmin Rashid said she has started a door-to-door campaign and chances of her success are becoming bright with every passing day. PML-N Lahore President Pervaiz Malik said the party has a strong base in the form of local bodies' representatives in the constituency. He said the party would activate its workers once nomination papers are filed by a party candidate. "We will defeat the PTI with a huge margin like 2013," he added.
Talking on phone, Marvi Memon said Shahbaz Sharif had excellent track record for development in the province. "Punjab had made progress in many sectors including gas, electricity, water, health and education," she added. She said people of Pakistan had given heavy mandate to the PML-N government and the country has made great development during the four years of PML-N government.
PPP Lahore President Aziz-ur-Rehman Chan said his party has yet to announce the candidate. Interestingly, he had launched Zubair Kardar in a public meeting held on July 30. However, he termed it merely a public meeting, saying the party will decide who will contest from NA-120. It may be noted that names of Qamar Zaman Kaira and Ch Aitzaz Ahsan are circulating in media being considered by the party chairman for the by polls.
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