Imran Khan to contest all 33 seats in NA by-polls

ISLAMABAD: Imran Khan played for and also set a few records of his own on the cricket field. Now, the PTI Chairman is looking to set a record as a politician.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced that Imran Khan will be the party’s candidate in the by-elections for all 33 National Assembly seats. The by-polls are set to be held on March 16.

This will be the first instance in the country’s political history that one candidate will run for such a large number of seats at the same time.

The party’s core committee met in Lahore and decided that Imran Khan will be the party’s candidate for all 33 NA seats.

PTI’s Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced the core committee’s decision at a press conference.

“Imran Khan will be PTI’s candidate for all constituencies that [are up for grabs] and our [ex-]MNAs, who were earlier elected for those seats will be covering candidates,” Qureshi said.

“The PTI will remain on the political ground and seek the help of the masses. When the people got a chance in July last year, despite our opponents being in government, they ensured our mandate and [made] Imran Khan victorious,” Qureshi said.

“The nation will give a clear message on March 16: the nation completely trusts in the leadership of Imran Khan and it stands with the PTI. The people will also voice their reservations against the group that’s been imposed on us,” he added.

Earlier, the Election Commission of Pakistan said the by-elections on 33 National Assembly seats vacated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members will take place on March 16.

The ECP announcement added that the candidates can file their nomination papers between February 6 and 8. The names of the candidates will be published on February 9 and the scrutiny of the nomination papers by the returning officers (ROs) will be completed till February 13. The last date to file appeals against the decision of the ROs is February 16.

According to the election schedule, the last date for the appellate tribunal to decide on the appeals is February 20. After this, the revised list of candidates will be published on February 21.

The last date to withdraw candidature and release of revised list of candidates is February 22 while the election symbols will be allotted on February 23 and the polls will be held on March 16.