ISLAMABAD: PPP and Awami National Party (ANP) have formed an electoral alliance for the local government elections in the capital.

However, the alliance is mostly for the union councils (UCs) falling in NA-48.

The PPP has fielded 81 candidates while not a single candidate is contesting under the ANP’s banner.

President of ANP Punjab and Islamabad wing Manzoor Ahmed Khan said: “This is because most ANP workers are contesting as independents”.

Mr Khan said because the elections had been delayed so many times, the party had not taken them seriously. He added: “Also, I was out of the country at the time which is why we could not finalise our candidates. It has now been decided that we will support the PPP wherever we can.”

Two ANP office-bearers are contesting for the posts of general councillors in UC 20 where the PPP district president Sibti Shah and Islamabad wing president Faisal Sakhi Butt have assured them their support.

Sibti Shah said: “Local party workers have been asked to contact ANP office- bearers and extend their support to them. Workers of both parties have exchanged contact details and a meeting between them will be held in a couple of days.”

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2015