Ali Tareen, son of PTI's disqualified Jahangir Tareen, in a video message last night said that he would not be contesting the upcoming polls.

The younger Tareen, has already been awarded a PTI ticket for Lodhran's NA-161 [formerly NA-154] seat — where he lost to PTI's Syed Iqbal Shah by over 25,000 votes in a by-poll in February this year.

In his video message, Tareen said that there "are many suitable candidates for PTI tickets" and that he believes that the ticket should go to a "diehard worker who invests their time and energy for the party".

Tareen cited his mandatory 10-day presence at Oxford each month as the reason for his withdrawal from candidacy as his 20-day absence from the 40-day election campaign would mean he will not be able to give the constituency the necessary time and attention.

While Ali is getting flak from party workers for his move, many of PTI's social media warriors are welcoming the decision and calling it a great move as it breaks away from Pakistan's traditional dynastic political culture.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...