FAISALABAD, Dec 15: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Saturday replaced its NA-79 candidate Farooq Saeed with newcomer but well-off Hammad Ahmed.

Saeed had lost the last general election from the same constituency to Pakistan Muslim League’s Safdar Shakir. Now he will contest the election as an independent candidate from NA-79 and PP-59.

Talking to Dawn, Saeed said he was replaced because he could not fund the party according to its demand. He claimed Ahmed bought the PPP ticket for Rs10 million. He asked the party to return Rs200,000 he paid earlier for the ticket.

Local PPP leader Ismail Bhatti said all office-bearers from Samundri tehsil would resign to show solidarity with Saeed.— Staff Correspondent