OKARA, April 19: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf is likely to support Jamaat-i-Islami’s Dr Liaquat Ali Kausar in NA-143 after last-minute withdrawal of its candidate.

Advocate Mehmoodur Rehman Lashari, former assistant advocate general Punjab, withdrew his nomination papers for NA-143 “even without informing his party men.”

According to the arrangement, the JI will support the PTI candidates in PP-185 and PP-189. Dr Liaquat confirmed that the PTI had opted for adjustment with the JI on both provincial seats.

Advocate Lashari told Dawn on phone that Mian Muhammad Anwar Pasha, a PTI candidate for PP-185, was fully cooperating with him in the election campaign but PP-189 candidate Chaudhry Masood Shafqat Rubera was not cooperating with him.He claimed he had informed Rai Azizullah, the PTI candidate in a Kamalia constituency, about the situation but Chaudhry Rubera continued to oppose him. He also claimed that he had sent a message to PTI provincial president Ijaz Chaudhry about his decision to quit.

Anwar Pasha said as the PTI had no candidate in NA-143, it would support Dr Liaquat Ali Kausar. The JI in return would back the PTI men in the provincial seats.