LAHORE: The already divided religious vote on sectarian grounds stands further divided on political grounds as various Sunni and Shia groups are taking divergent lines in the electoral contest for NA-122.

The JUP faction of late Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani announced its support for PML-N nominee for by-polls in NA-122 Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, while Pakistan Awami Tehreek of Dr Tahirul Qadri came out in favour of the PTI’s Aleem Khan on Tuesday.

The PAT does not come free. In return the PTI will support PAT not only in local body polls but also in getting justice for Model Town incident victims. Both the parties also formed a committee to discuss further electoral cooperation.

The Jamaat-e-Islami has decided to go for the PTI in the by-polls reportedly to get the latter’s support in the local government elections due on Oct 31, while Maulan Fazlur Rehman’s JUI is openly supporting the PML-N.

Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen, a Shia group, has the other day declared its backing for the PTI whereas Shia Ulema Council’s Kazim Raza Naqvi met PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz on Tuesday and announced supporting the N League in the by-polls.

Published in Dawn, October 7th , 2015

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