PML leaders for open nazim election

By Shahzad Raza

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leaders have come under pressure to declare all districts in Punjab open for the district nazim elections on October 6. Party sources told Daily Times that parliamentarians and party leaders, whose candidates were affected by the party leadership’s decisions on district nazim candidates, made the demand.

They argued that since the local council elections were held on a non-party basis, the party must refrain from participating in the third phase of elections and opined that backing particular candidates would cause resentment and rifts within the party. Meanwhile, negotiations were underway between the PML leadership and the affected leaders to settle disputes over the district nazim candidates.

Majeed Malik, the PML senior vice-president, told Daily Times that he would not withdraw from the district nazim contest under any circumstances. PML Punjab, however, had announced support to his opponent, Sardar Ghulam Abbas, for the district Chakwal nazim slot.

There were unconfirmed reports that Malik had withdrawn in favour of Abbas after being convinced by the Chaudhrys of Gujrat. However, Malik vehemently denied the reports.

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