DERA GHAZI KHAN, Feb 15: In an odd move of its kind, two candidates belonging to archrival political parties, PML-Q and PML-N, are sailing their electioneering boat jointly yet smoothly, astonishing the electorate in Jaampur tehsil of Rajanpur district.

PML-Q aspirant for NA-174 Jaafar Khan Leghari has tied the ‘electioneering knot’ with PML-N candidate for PP-247 Sher Ali Gurchani instead of his own party candidate Ghazzali Rahim.

Jaafar Leghari is facing heavyweight Nasrulla Dareshak, who is contesting the elections independently, and PPP’s Khawja Kleemuddin Koreja and to muster up the support of Gurchani tribe, he has embraced a PML-N hopeful by revolting against all party norms and disciplines.

The PML-N has already left NA-174 open after Dareshak, who was PML-Q’s chief whip in the previous National Assembly, decided not to opt party ticket and contest the polls independently and against his own party candidate Jaafar Leghari.

Ghazzali Rahim, the PML-Q candidate for PP-247, had no option except to forge his alliance with Dareshaks to run his campaigning.

When Dawn contacted Sher Ali Gurchani, he said that his tribe had political rivalry with Dareshaks and that’s why he was supporting Jaafar Leghari under local arrangements.

A voter told Dawn that it was his tehsil only and not elsewhere in Pakistan where “PML-N’s tiger is riding on PML-Q’s bicycle”.

In another bit resembling move, the PML-N has withdrawn its candidate for Dera Ghazi Khan’s PP-242, Dost Muhammad Khosa, in favour of PPP candidate Irfanullah Khosa and tiger’s supporters are proving their friendship with ‘arrow’ too.

Editorial

Budget delay
Updated 04 Jun, 2026

Budget delay

With economic stabilisation yet to translate into tangible improvement in living standards, the country’s leaders are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore demands for relief.
Absentee lawmakers
04 Jun, 2026

Absentee lawmakers

TWENTY per cent. That is the percentage of lawmakers whose commitment to their vocation is reflected in the time ...
Deliberate provocationst
04 Jun, 2026

Deliberate provocationst

THE latest events at Al-Aqsa Mosque reflect the growing impunity with which extremist Israeli settlers operate. ...
Missing confidence
03 Jun, 2026

Missing confidence

For the government, the economy may be more stable now than it was three years ago, but for manufacturers and exporters, it is still difficult to do business.
GB elections
03 Jun, 2026

GB elections

THERE has been some heated politicking in the country’s scenic north in recent days, with Gilgit-Baltistan finally...
The Lebanon factor
03 Jun, 2026

The Lebanon factor

THE fragile calm that followed the recent US-Iran confrontation is being tested. Iran has made it clear that it does...