March 28, 2002	Thursday	Muharram 13, 1423

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FAISALABAD, March 27: Despite ban on political activities, almost all political and religious parties accelerated their motivation campaign after the announcement of delimitation of national and provincial assemblies’ seats.

Workers of these parties were seen visiting offices of their leaders, Nazims and Naib Nazims of union councils for getting information about their respective constituencies.

Leaders were witnessed directing their activists to hold corner meetings for in-depth study and review of the delimitation of constituencies. They were also advised to file objections against the delimitation, if any, before the election commission within stipulated period.

Quota for the Faisalabad district has been increased from nine to 11 NA seats and 18 to 22 PA seats.

In the 1985 partyless election, the district had been delimited for 10 NA and 20 PA seats. However, in 1988 election, the seats were reduced to nine for NA and 18 for PA.

The composition of constituencies and seats for NA and PA remained intact in 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1997 general election.

Local political circles claim that all the three NA and six PA seats fall under urban areas have been drastically changed and former MNAs and MPAs who won these seats seem upset.

They have decided to file objections for intacting previous demographic of constituencies.

Punjab PPP secretary-general Aftab Ahmad Khan said that all expected candidates of general election had been asked to minutely review the delimitation of seats.

He said the party would file objections collectively in the light of feedback from such candidates. The party would also extend guidance and legal assistance to them, he said.

Complaints were pouring in the provincial party office that a number of NA and PA seats had been delimited with the recommendations of PML-QA leaders, he alleged.

Punjab PML-N vice-president Chaudhry Safdar Rehman said the delimitation of constituencies was being examined thoroughly. The decision about filing objections would be finalized after a meeting with local leaders within the next couple of days, he said.

Leaders of JI, Awami Tehrik, PML-QA, Millat Party, Tehrik-i-Insaf and other political and religious parties were also seen busy in discussing the matter with legal experts.