LAHORE: Unlike the impression that PPP is failing to get candidates for constituencies in areas where the PML-N holds sway the party of Bhuttos is facing trouble in making choices from multiple options it has particularly in the Punjab capital.

To resolve the matter, party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari has reached Lahore and also invited the provincial leadership to get their help in fielding the most suitable candidates.

For NA-133, the party has apparently decided to pitch Chaudhry Aslam Gill, while Faisal Mir – who had hit headlines by contesting the NA-120 by-polls against heavyweights like Begum Kulsoom Nawaz of PML-N and Dr Yasmin Rashid of PTI – is also a strong contender. Suhail Malik, a youth wing leader, is also vying for the seat.

Mr Gill, a jiayala (diehard party worker) belongs to Gulberg area, whereas Mr Mir lives and does business in the area comprising NA-133.

Similarly, Barrister Amer Hasan, who had contested against National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the by-polls for NA-122, and party’s old guard Aurangzeb Burki are in the race for constituency which has been renamed as NA-133.

PPP officials claim they have received at least 60 applications for 14 seats of National Assembly and 125 applications for 30 seats of Punjab Assembly from Lahore.

They say Mr Zardari is in Lahore to make a final choice. They say the provincial leadership has also been asked to attend the meeting being convened to finalise the candidates.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2018