LAHORE: As the local governments in Punjab are expected to be formed in January 2017, the ruling PML-N has not yet finalised its candidate for Lahore mayor slot.

As Khwaja Ahmed Hassan had emerged as a strong candidate for the slot of Lahore mayor after the local body election a year ago, the PML-N local leadership says his name has not been finalised for the coveted post.

“The party has not yet finalised the name of Khawaja Hassan and any other person for the slot of Lahore mayor,” PML-N Lahore president MNA Pervaiz Malik told Dawn here on Tuesday.

He said the party leadership had asked the district organising committee to give its recommendations about the candidates for mayors and deputy mayors posts. “The district organisation committee has started consultation and will soon submit its recommendations to the party leadership for final decision,” he said.

Mr Malik further said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was likely to hold last phase of local government election in the end of December and the tier (local government) would be formed in January 2017.

Since the PML-N emerged as the only party having an overwhelming majority in Lahore, it is all set to win the slot of mayor and nine of deputy mayors.

So far two candidates -- Khwaja Hassan and Arif Hamid Butt -- latter a relative of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, have applied to the party for the mayor’s slot. “More candidates may apply for these slots,” Mr Malik said.

A source in the ruling party said Khwaja Hassaan was a strong candidate for Lahore mayor slot a year ago when election was held.

“During the last one year certain developments have taken place with regard to Mr Hassan and perhaps he is no more as strong a candidate for the slot as he used to be,” he added.

Hassaan had served as Lahore Mayor in 1998-99 during Nawaz Sharif’s second tenure. Later, local governments were formed under Gen Musharraf rule in 2001 and the office of mayor was renamed as Nazim.

On the other hand, the Pakistan Tahreek-i-Insaf plans to field its candidates for mayor and deputy mayors’ slots in Lahore.

“We will field candidates for mayor and all deputy mayors slots and will not leave the arena open for the PML-N,” PTI Lahore President Waleed Iqbal told Dawn. He said the PTI had begun the process of nominating its candidates for these positions and would finalise their names soon.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2016