LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz was allocated ‘pencil’ as her election symbol for NA-125 after she failed to withdraw her nomination papers for the constituency. Following this, she is now contesting from NA-127 and PP-173 constituencies with the party’s ‘lion’ symbol.
According to a local media report, the returning officers allotted Maryam Nawaz ‘lion’ symbol as a PML-N nominee for both NA-127 and PP-173.
Tanvir Zia Butt, a representative of Maryam, told reporters that she couldn’t withdraw her nomination papers for NA-125 on time as it required her signs on the papers and verification from the embassy.
However, it was informed by Butt that Maryam would retire from the election in NA-125 so that her name and election symbol were not published on the ballot papers.
Maryam Nawaz said in a tweet: “There is a confusion here. I think my papers are not withdrawn on time. I am not contesting from NA-125. I am submitting a formal request for withdrawal of my papers from NA-125.”
Maryam had changed her decision to contest from NA-125 at the eleventh hour primarily because it was not considered a ‘safe bet’ for her in the current situation.
After her refusal, PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif has awarded NA-125 ticket to Waheed Alam Khan, moving him from his original constituency – NA-133.