DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pakistan Peoples Party central information secretary Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday said that his party wanted free, fair and timely elections in the country.

The PPP leader told reporters at the Kundi Model Farms here that he prayed for the safety of all political leaders and workers, including Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

He said that the JUI-F chief wanted elections postponed over excuses like bad weather and delicate law and order situation, but the PPP won’t let him “escape from the Feb 8 electoral exercise.”

Mr Kundi said that elections should be held on time and his party was confident that Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa would ensure the holding of the electoral exercise as scheduled.

He claimed that his party would clinch the majority of assembly seats in elections.

The PPP leader said that the formation of an electoral alliance against his party was not a new thing.

He said that those claiming to be the next prime minister would soon know about the next elected chief executive of the country.

Mr Kundi demanded a level playing field for all political parties and free, fair and transparent polls.

He said that no party should be forced out of the political process, including elections, and that equal opportunities should be available to all to carry out political activities. The PPP leader said that the JUI-F wanted to run away from elections.

He called for the holding of elections in a peaceful way.

“We [politicians] can have political differences but personal issues are out of question,” he said.

Mr Kundi said that his party would confirm all election tickets in the next few days. He said that the PPP had strong candidates in all constituencies of Dera Ismail Khan district and would claim victory in elections.

On the occasion, PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur’s focal person Qamar Zaman Bamozai, PTI nazims Malik Ashfaq and Hanif Awan, and Budh village council chairman Mohammad Tariq, vice-chairman Abdur Razzaq and members announced the joining of the PPP.

They all were welcomed by Mr Kundi.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2024