LAHORE: Election-related activities have gained momentum in Lahore’s NA-120 constituency after submission of nomination papers.
A tough contest is expected between Dr Yasmin Rashid of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Kalsoom Nawaz in NA-120 in the by-poll that will be held on September 17.
About 65 contenders have filed nomination papers for the NA-120 seat that fell vacant after the disqualification of former premier Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court in Panama case.
Though the process of scrutiny started on Tuesday, scrutiny of papers of Dr Yasmin Rashid and Kalsoom Nawaz will be held on Thursday (August 17) at 11 am. PTI plans to challenge nomination papers of Kalsoom Nawaz as the party head no more remains ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Amin’ after Supreme Court’s verdict. However, Hafiz Numan, covering candidate for Kalsoom Nawaz, is capable of facing legal and political challenges in the way.
Candidates used the occasion of Independence Day for electioneering. The PTI candidate Dr Yasmin Rashid led rallies on August 14 which moved in different areas of NA-120. Dr Yasmin Rashid visited Mazar-e-Iqbal to offer Fatiha and laid flowers on Iqbal’s mausoleum; she led a bike rally of PTI workers as well.
She also held flag hoisting and cake cutting ceremonies at the main campaign office of NA-120 at the residence of former governor Mian Azhar where PTI stalwarts Mian Aslam Iqbal, Chaudhry Sarwar and Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed were the chief guests at the ceremony.
PTI Central Information Secretary Shafqat Mahmood, Lahore Urban President Waleed Iqbal and former Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry hoisted national flags, held cake-cutting ceremonies and took out rallies in various areas of NA-120.
Addressing the workers and supporters, Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the nation has gotten rid of corrupt rulers finally and we have got real independence on this Independence Day.
“We all should work for progress and prosperity of Pakistan. The masses must recognise their power of the vote and only elect capable leaders.” She lauded the Supreme Court’s verdict against Nawaz Sharif.
Whereas, the PML-N has also geared up efforts for NA-120 electioneering. Punjab Food Minister Bilal Yasin and MPA Majid Zahoor are also leading the campaign. They held different functions and ceremonies on August 14. Speaking to the media, Bilal Yasin said he is ready to quit his post as food minister. “I want to fully participate in NA-120 electioneering and have asked the party leadership to relinquish me of my post as the minister so that I can start the campaign with full might. I will accept whatever the decision party leadership takes.”
A consultative meeting of PML-N was held under the chairmanship of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at Raiwind Jati Umra, the residence of Sharif family.
Leading party leaders including Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and legal experts attended the meeting.
In the meeting, matters pertaining to file a review petition against Panama case’s judgment and campaign for the upcoming by-elections of NA-120 were also under consideration.
It was decided in the meeting that Hamza Shehbaz, with the help of local leadership of the party, would make final arrangements to make NA-120 by-election campaign effective and result-oriented while Nawaz Sharif would visit all the four provinces.
According to sources, PML-N local leadership has convinced the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit the area and launch a vigorous campaign for the local National Assembly constituency. Nawaz Sharif is expected to launch campaign for his wife once the process of scrutiny of nomination papers is completed.
Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) candidate Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh, who is also in the race, led a rally on Monday in different areas of NA-120. The JuD workers were carrying flags of Milli Muslim League (MML) which is yet to be registered as a political party with the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Sheikh filed his nomination papers with the ECP as an independent candidate.
Addressing party workers and supporters in Mazang, Sheikh said: “We will change the mood of Pakistani politics. We will serve the religion of Allah through politics. We will keep humanity on top priority in our politics.”
Yaqoob Sheikh, while addressing bike-riding workers further said: “We will defend the true ideology of Pakistan. We will work for the marginalised section of the society.”
Meanwhile, nomination papers of Kalsoom Nawaz were been challenged on Tuesday.
Awami Tehreek’s Ishtiaq Chaudhry, filed the objections with the returning officer against Kalsoom Nawaz and claimed that though Kalsoom disclosed her Iqama [foreign work contract] in the nomination papers, yet she failed to disclose the salary received through the contract.
According to him, Kalsoom also failed to show her position as deputy chairperson in the Iqama.
NA-120 Returning Officer Mohammad Shahid accepted the objections for scrutiny which is due on Thursday.
In the General Elections of 2013, Nawaz Sharif won the seat by a substantial margin and defeated Yasmin Rashid who is also contesting for the seat this time.