GUJRAT: PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has started running the election campaign of his sons, Shafay Hussain and Salik Hussain, through the telephone calls to the influential people in the local politics of Gujrat in the last few days.

As Shujaat is unable to physically visit his hometown due to the health conditions, he is trying to play an active role in electioneering from his Lahore residence by getting in touch with the influential figures, said an office-bearer of the PML-Q while talking to Dawn on Tuesday.

Seven members of Shujaat’s family, namely two sisters, two sons and as many nephews besides Parvez Elahi, are contesting the election from the Gujrat district.

However, out of these candidates, four are contesting as the PML Q nominees whereas two sisters of Shujaat, including Sumaira Elahi and Qaisara Elahi and the latter’s spouse Parvez Elahi, are contesting on three different seats as the PTI nominees.

A number of local political figures told Dawn they had received telephone calls by Shujaat, seeking votes for his sons.

Salik is contesting for NA-64 against his aunt, Qaisara Elahi, of the PTI as well as on PP-32 (Kunjah) against his uncle, Parvez Elahi, of the PTI whereas Shafay is the Q nominee from PP-31 (Gujrat city).

Waheed Mirza, the PML-Q information secretary, says the party chief is likely to arrive in Gujrat on Feb 2 and might stay here until the election while preparations are being made for his meeting with the notables of the area. He said it was for the time in this election that Shujaat got in touch with the party supporters regarding the election campaign.

Currently, former federal minister Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain is looking after the matters of the campaign of all the PML-Q candidates from Gujrat district.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2024