GUJRAT: The PML-N may field former MPA Imran Zafar for NA-69 by-poll as previous ticket holder Chaudhry Mubashar Hussain told a gathering of workers a few days ago that he was not interested in the by-poll.

Mr Hussain has faced two consecutive defeats from Pervaiz Elahi – in 2013 and now 2018. The participants of the meeting of former lawmakers and PML-N ticket holders from Gujrat, however, insisted him to consult his close aide and family on the matter before making any decision.

Other than Imran Zafar, the PML-N may consider Aurangzaib Butt who bagged 14,000 votes as an independent candidate for PP-31. Adeel Shah of Moinuddin Pur is also said to be interested in contesting the by-polls.

Mr Husain told Dawn considering his votes (some 49,000), he should not contest the by-poll and leave it for some other candidate who could perform better.

Haji Nasir, PML-N general secretary of Gujrat, told Dawn that his nephew (Imran Zafar) could be a candidate if Mr Husain refused to contest the poll. He said the party would decide as the party had many choices, including Mr Butt.

The PML-Q has announced fielding Chaudhry Moonis Elahi for the bypoll as he held meetings with delegations of his constituency to discuss the future strategy on the weekend.

Pervaiz Elahi won NA-65, NA-69 and PP-30 Gujrat in the general election and decided to retain PP-30.

Local Pakistan Tehreek-i-Inaf workers are also persuading the party leadership to field party’s own candidate for by-polls.

Meanwhile sources said that PML-N, PPP and MMA were discussing to field a joint candidate for NA-69 by-poll.

Published in Dawn, August 07th, 2018