The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is continuing to prepare for elections in Punjab, despite the fact that its key ally in the federal government, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has remained indecisive despite the announcement of a schedule of elections.
All candidates from the province who are interested in running should submit their nomination papers between March 12 and March 14, according to Rana Farooq, the president of the PPP’s central Punjab wing. He has given the candidates advice to ramp up their public relations efforts in their respective districts and run for office with zeal.
However, despite explicit orders from the Supreme Court (SC) to hold elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PML-N has been promoting the advantages of holding national elections simultaneously (K-P).
While the PML-N continues to be Punjab’s second-largest political party after their main rival, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the PPP has a relatively small presence there (PTI).
A number of former PML-N parliamentarians from Punjab expressed uncertainty regarding the party’s electoral policy, aside from their media position opposing the decision to hold elections in Punjab and K-P.
The party has offered a number of justifications for delaying the elections, including worries about security, money, bad weather, the holy month of Ramazan, the need for a new digital census, and ultimately the requirement to hold elections simultaneously across the entire nation.
Maryam Nawaz, the PML-recently N’s appointed chief organiser, is currently touring Punjab’s divisions to re-energise the party’s membership in what is being referred to as an election campaign.
Two former PML-N lawmakers who were present at these meetings claim that party tickets were discussed, but even those who were certain they would get them received no confirmation.
Former PML-N provincial lawmaker Abu Hafs Ghiasuddin claimed that despite Shehbaz Sharif, the current prime minister, having personally assured him of a party ticket, the party has yet to begin the selection process for any candidates.
Malik Noman Ahmad Langrial, a different former lawmaker from Punjab who was one of the 20 lawmakers who left the PTI to join the PML-N last year, claimed that Maryam had assured him of her full support during a recent meeting.
When asked about the party’s position regarding elections, he said that elections should only be held after a level playing field is visible to all in the political arena. Langrial stated that if PTI loses these elections, they will cry foul once again.
The politician further reiterated that until a level playing field is provided, elections should not be held. The party has not given any such instructions regarding elections.
Despite the PML-N’s ambiguity and the PPP’s limited presence, the election campaigns are underway in Punjab, and the upcoming weeks will determine who emerges as the victor.
