BAHAWALPUR: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed MNA-elect from Lodhran, Rana Faraz Noon, has allegedly refused to accept an invitation by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to join the party.

Sources close to Rana Faraz say he was contacted by some members of Gilani family from Multan, who visited the outhouse of the MNA-elect late on Sunday and offered him to join the party, also pledging to give him a ministry if the PPP formed the government in the centre.

During the visit, the sources say, some PPP stalwarts also talked to Mr Noon on telephone and tried to convince him to join the party.

However, the sources say that Mr Noon and his father flatly refused to accept the offer, saying they were bound to follow the policy of PTI leadership.

Meanwhile, PTI-backed defeated candidate from NA-158 (Vehari), Tahir Iqbal, has accused the RO concerned of reducing his votes and adding 749 votes to PML-N candidate Begum Tehmina Daultana.

He levelled the allegation while addressing his supporters, who staged a protest demonstration outside the RO office on Monday, raising slogans against the officer. Tahir Iqbal has announced to move court against the “rigging”.

PETITIONS: At least four PTI-backed defeated candidates filed election petitions in the high court on Monday.

According to the PTI lawyers’ wing, those, who filed petitions include; Samiullah Chaudhury (NA-168), Muhammad Asghar Joyia (PP-253), Ahmad Usman Channar (PP-254, Bahawalpur city) and Ijaz Gaddan (NA-164, Khairpur Tamewali).

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2024