HYDERABAD, Sept 2: The Pakistan Muslim League (N) has withdrawn the candidatures of two candidates for NA-218, and PS-43, Hyderabad-I, in favour of People’s Party Parliamentarians chairman Makhdoom Mohammad Amin Fahim and his son, Makhdoom Jamiluzzaman.

This was announced by the district president of the PML (N), Rais Allah Bux Magsi, while speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Monday.

A large number of PML-N leaders, including Din Mohammad and Afzal Gujjar, and the party candidates, Shahid Ali Jokhio and Rao Taufiq, were also present on the occasion.

Magsi said the decision had been taken under the orders of Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and the provincial high command of the party as a goodwill gesture towards the PPP and in the larger interest of the country.

He pointed out Sharif himself had withdrawn his nomination paper to express solidarity with PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

He said the PML (N) candidate for NA-218, Shahid Ali Jokhio, had withdrawn his candidature in favour of Fahim and Rao Taufiq had withdrawn his candidature in favour of Jamiluzzaman.

Magsi did not agree with a questioner that the PML candidates had withdrawn their candidatures because they were “weak”.

When asked whether the PPP would also demonstrate the same gesture towards his son, Irfan Gul Magsi, and daughter, Adeeba Magsi, who were contesting the election from Tando Allahyar taluka, NA-223, Hyderabad-VI, and PS-51, Hyderabad-IX, respectively, Magsi said it was up to the PPP.

He, however, added the withdrawal of the PML candidates was unconditional.

Sources said the decision to withdraw the candidatures of the PML (N) candidates was taken at a party meeting held at Magsi House on Monday, which was presided over by the provincial acting president of the party, Imdad Hussain Chandio.