MUZAFFARGARH: PTI leaders from Alipur and Jatoi tehsils of Muzaffargarh district Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi, his son Daud Khan Jatoi and relative Sardar Rasool Bukhah Jatoi were picked up by police late on Friday.

They were likely PTI candidates for NA and PA seats.

The PTI likely candidate for PP-273 was Daud Jatoi, for PP-274 Rasool Bukhah Jatoi, and NA-178 Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi.

The Jatoi family said they submitted nomination papers on Thursday evening but the police conducted raids at their homes, and arrested early Friday morning, and took them to an undisclosed location.

On Saturday they were released. There are rumours that they were released after the Jatoi family assured the police they would be independent candidates in the elections.

Police initially denied the arrests of Jatois. After 12 hours, these three Jatoi candidates were released from Multan.

DPO Muzaffargarh stated that Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi and his son are not wanted by Muzaffargarh police in any case and they were not arrested. The investigation is ongoing, and it’s reported that they may have been with someone currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Insaf’s underground leader and former MNA from Kotaddu Mian Shabbir Ali Qureshi’s lawyer, who submitted nomination papers for Qureshi was arrested in Kot Addu.

District Bar President candidate Munir Koria Advocate was abducted by unknown persons outside the returning officer’s office for NA 179. The police expressed ignorance, but Advocate Jawad Hussain claimed that the lawyer’s brother was arrested.

Former Minister of State for Housing and Works, Mian Shabbir Ali Qureshi, has been missing since May 9. His lawyer’s brother was abducted while submitting nomination papers for Qureshi. Mian Shabbir Ali Qureshi’s lawyer is also a candidate for the presidency of Kot Addu District Bar 2024-2025.

The wife of Dr. Shabbier Ahmad Qureshi alleged that when they reached the RO office to submit nomination papers, there was no returning officer. After two hours, the officer arrived, refused to take their papers, and threatened the covering female candidates to withdraw their nomination papers.

She appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to ensure a level playing field in the upcoming general elections.

Nomination papers for two NA and 4 provincial PA seats for underground PTI leader Jamshed Dasti, have been submitted.

Papers were submitted for NA 175 and NA 176, as well as 4 provincial seats PP 268, 269, 270, and PP 271.

Jamshed Dasti has been in hiding since May 9, facing charges for protesting, road blockage, and under 7ATA.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2023