MANSEHRA: The election candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have started swearing loyalty to party founder Imran Khan in public here.

“We’ve taken oath on the Holy Quran that we will stay loyal to Imran Khan even after becoming lawmakers,” PTI nominee for Torghar PK-41 seat Shakeela Rabbani told Dawn on Wednesday.

She claimed the party’s leadership didn’t issue any instructions for its nominees to swear loyalty to Mr Imran and that they’re doing it on their own.

Also, former opposition leader in the provincial assembly and PTI-backed contender in NA-15 Shahzada Gustasab Khan swore loyalty to the PTI founder in a public meeting in Oghi area.

“I solemnly declare that I will remain loyal to Imran Khan as well as his party and his vision till my death,” he said.

He took the oath of allegiance to Mr Imran on the Holy Quran. Former PTI tehsil president Nisar Bangash administered the oath to him.

PK-39 candidate Akram Ghazi also declared in a news conference that he would continue to be loyal to the PTI founder even after becoming MPA. “My current and future leader is Imran Khan,” he said.

The PTI-backed candidates in other parts of Hazara Division are also reported to be swearing loyalty to the party’s founder in public meetings.

SUPPORT ANNOUNCED: Former provincial minister Wajiuzzaman Khan on Wednesday announced his support for former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the Feb 8 election in the NA-15 Mansehra-II constituency.

“I believe PML-N candidates Nawaz Sharif [NA-15] and Arif Qalandar Tanoli [PK-39] are committed to people’s development and therefore, I, along with my supporters and family members, announce support for them in general elections,” Mr Khan told a public meeting in Oghi here.

Mr Sharif’s son-in-law retired Captain Mohammad Safdar, who was also in attendance, claimed the PML-N would win Mansehra district’s all two national and five provincial assembly seats in elections.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2024